Do Leeds United’s hopes of signing Kyle Bartley rest on Tottenham’s Mawson interest?

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It would make no sense for Swansea City to let both Kyle Bartley and Alfie Mawson leave, amid interest from Leeds and Tottenham.

While they fend off interest from Everton in Gylfi Sigurdsson, Swansea City are also striving to hold onto their best defenders.

Leeds United had hoped to sign Kyle Bartley permanently after an impressive season on loan at Elland Road last season, according to The Yorkshire Evening Post, but Swansea are so far insisting he is not for sale.

Kyle Bartley of Leeds United celebrates

This is smart from the Swans considering reported interest in star man Alfie Mawson.

Mawson signed last summer from Barnsley and has developed into an established Premier League player.

He captained England’s under-21 side to the European Championship semi-finals this summer, and interest is mounting in his signature.

The Sun reported last month that Tottenham are weighing up a £15 million bid for the centre-back.

No offers have yet been made as Spurs drag their heels in the transfer market with no players signed at all, and this is potentially good news for Leeds’ Bartley hopes.

Swansea City’s Alfie Mawson celebrates

If Swansea City sell Alfie Mawson, then selling Kyle Bartley too would be particularly naive.

While the money could be spent on a replacement, they would already have a ready made player to step in, with Bartley.

Swansea are not blessed with defensive options, but Leeds’ best chance of snapping up Bartley is if Alfie Mawson stays put.

As the transfer window progresses and the season kicks off, if Bartley has not established himself as a starter for Swansea alongside Mawson, then Leeds’ interest could be encouraged.

Mawson’s departure would end any faint hopes they have.

Leeds are still looking to add another centre-back to fill the Bartley void, having only signed Matthew Pennington on loan from Everton in the position.

The dream addition would be Bartley himself, to renew his partnership with Pontus Jansson. The longer they leave it, the more chance they may have of convincing Swansea to let him move on, but it will depend on Mawson – and perhaps to that end, Tottenham’s own plans.