Kyle Bartley was linked with Leeds United in the summer, and now he may get the chance to help derail their promotion push.
At the start of last summer, there was little doubt that one of the most popular transfers that Leeds could have completed was a move to bring Kyle Bartley back to Elland Road one year after his impressive loan spell with the Whites.
The Yorkshire Evening Post reported that Leeds were keen to re-sign the centre-back at the start of the window, but seemed to lose interest once Marcelo Bielsa arrived. Instead, Bartley headed to West Brom.
It has not been a deal that has paid off for Bartley. He has struggled to justify a £6 million fee (via Express and Star), and has not started a league game since his disappointing display on New Year’s Day at Blackburn.
And it has not been a deal that Leeds have rued missing out on either. Their defensive record has been good this season, and Pontus Jansson and Liam Cooper have been two of the club’s most consistent performers throughout the campaign.
But Bartley may perhaps have a chance to prove a point to both Leeds and West Brom on Friday with Ahmed Hegazi limping off during the defeat to Sheffield United last week.
If Hegazi is not going to be involved at Elland Road, Bartley could perhaps be considered for a rare start.
So if he does play, it will be interesting to see whether Bartley’s performance shows whether West Brom were right to pay £6 million in the summer, or why Leeds were right not to.
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