Barnsley beat Championship and Yorkshire rivals Leeds United to the signature of Liam Lindsay, who is already being linked with Premier League clubs.
Liam Lindsay had his choice of two Yorkshire giants this summer when leaving Partick Thistle. But despite long-running interest in the highly-rated defender, as reported by the Daily Record, Leeds United were beaten to his signature by local rivals Barnsley.
But with Lindsay shining during a bleak season at Oakwell, it appears Barnsley have a real challenge on their hands keeping him at the club for much longer.
It is understood that the Seagulls are mulling over a £6 million bid for the highly-rated defender, as Chris Hughton’s side aim to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
It is no surprise that Lindsay is a man in demand considering how impressive he has been since joining Barnsley in the summer for just £350,000. He has become a mainstay of the side, starting 24 league games, and has established himself as one of Britain’s most impressive young centre-backs.
Leeds’ failure to get the deal done 12 months ago, then, looks increasingly like an error on their part with Barnsley set to land a profit of over £5 million.
The Whites have made a habit of developing talented young players before selling them on to club’s in the top flight and Lindsay would have continued that tradition.
But it is not just financially that Lindsay could have aided the Elland Road giants. Leeds are lacking a little depth at centre-half with Liam Cooper suspended and Matthew Pennington struggling with injuries, so Lindsay could have developed into a key first-team player on Thomas Christiansen’s watch.
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