After reportedly failing to close a loan deal for Manchester City’s Michael Johnson on deadline day, speculation linking Leeds with a move for the midfielder won’t die down.

Claims were made that Man City boss Roberto Mancini had a change of heart about the move during the January transfer window and instead wanted Johnson to continue his rehabilitation in Manchester and not get thrown into competitive matches. However, The People have since reported that Johnson is nearing full fitness and Mancini would be happy for him to gain first team action, despite naming the midfielder in his 25 man squad for the second half of the season.

According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds scouts watched Johnson in action for Man City reserves last week. Simon Grayson’s reaction seems to suggest there is still a possibility of the Man City man arriving at Elland Road:

“He (Johnson) is a good player and he played 80 minutes for the reserves the other night. We like good players… City at this moment aren’t letting Michael out because they don’t think he’s fit enough. In the future if they let him out, would we want to take him? You’d have to wait and see.”

Following the one month loan signing of Eric Lichaj from Aston Villa, Grayson seems intent to follow up his ambition of bringing in Premier League players to bolster his squad for a promotion push. The combination of the prodigious talent that was evident before Johnson’s fitness problems and his passion for Leeds United could make him an ideal addition to the team for the run-in.

After two months of speculation it would be nice for all concerned if business was concluded as soon as possible.