Leeds United reportedly face battle with Reading for Kyle Bartley

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Leeds United reportedly want to re-sign Kyle Bartley from Premier League Swansea City, but ex-Swans boss Paul Clement wants him at Reading.

Reading survived relegation by the skin of their teeth this season and manger Paul Clement is keen to strengthen his squad this summer to ensure a repeat of this dismal campaign does not happen.

The Reading Chronicle claims that Clement is set for talks with the club’s owners, during which he will be told how much he will be given to spend this summer.

And it is understood that Kyle Bartley is a player on the former Chelsea and Real Madrid coach’s wish list. Clement knows the towering centre-back from his time in charge of Swansea City, the 26-year-old featuring in five Premier League games before the manager was sacked in January.

So Leeds United look set to face competition as they aim to lure Bartley back to Elland Road this summer.

Bartley enjoyed a stellar loan spell at Leeds in the 2016/17 season, forming an excellent partnership with Pontus Jansson as Garry Monk’s side narrowly missed out on the play-offs.

And the Yorkshire Evening Post reports that Leeds are determined to sign the former Arsenal youngster on a permanent basis this summer and make him their marquee addition. Bartley, it hs been reported, is keen on a return to West Yorkshire.

But the YEP adds that Swansea are likely to try and keep Bartley now they have been all but relegated from the Premier League.

So Leeds and Reading could both end up being disappointed.