Bournemouth winger David Brooks is being primed for a potential switch in the final stages of the January transfer window, with Championship high-flyers Leeds United and Southampton both keen to secure his signature.

The 27-cap Welsh international recovered from stage two Hodgkin lymphoma in May 2022, which had kept him out of action for the best part of two years.

But while Brooks has gradually returned to become an important part of Rob Page’s plans once again, he finds himself very much on the Vitality Stadium periphery alongside fellow Welshmen Chris Mepham and Kieffer Moore.

Brooks has only received 273 minutes of football in the Premier League this term and has contributed to a goal and an assist in that time, although the 26-year-old’s most impressive displays have arrived in cup competitions.

After scoring his side’s first goal in an eventual 3-2 EFL Cup victory at the Swansea.com Stadium back in August, Brooks was very much Swansea’s tormentor-in-chief as the Cherries ran riot over Luke Williams’ side last night, cruising to a 5-0 win that saw all goals come within the first 45 minutes.

Brooks, who has had no shortage of suitors as of late, proved exactly why that’s the case by setting up both of Bournemouth’s opening two goals and then adding another 10 minutes before the interval, putting the hosts 4-0 up.

It was claimed by talkSPORT last month that Leeds and Southampton are eager to strike a loan deal for Brooks in the January window, in a prospective move that would surely provide a significant boost to the promotion ambitions of both sides.

And now, if his current situation doesn’t improve, Brooks has invited interested parties to lure him away from Bournemouth in the near future.

Unhappy with a role on the fringes, Brooks explained to the BBC: “I just want to play first team football.

“I’ve had a lot of time on the sidelines and I don’t want to continue there. I’d love to continue my football here but it’s up to everyone what they think the best situation is.

“I’d rather be playing here but if he (manager Andoni Iraola) thinks there isn’t guaranteed football for me here I’ll try and explore opportunities elsewhere."

Brooks finds himself below the likes of Justin Kluivert, Marcus Tavernier, Luis Sinisterra and Antoine Semenyo and Dango Ouattara, all of whom have recorded more minutes in the top-flight under Iraola.

“I’ve not had a lot of minutes and sometimes it is difficult to go from minute one,” Brooks added.

“I’m trying to show the gaffer why I should be playing. I want first-team football. Without trying to be disrespectful, I’ve had two years out so I want to play, regardless of the circumstances.

“I’m looking to do that. I want first-team football, especially for my own career. Wales have some big qualifiers coming up so I’m looking to play as many minutes as possible.”

Those comments will likely put both Leeds and Southampton - along with any other suitors in the final week of the window - on red alert, with a late January switch now appearing increasingly likely.

Iraola has not ruled out the possibility of a move elsewhere either, although the Spaniard did confess that Bournemouth will need to find a replacement first.

“The first part is what the player wants and then a lot of things have to happen,” explained Iraola.

“The club has to find a replacement, the financial numbers have to work for everyone. We’ll see what happens. The market is open for one more week.”