Garry Monk is close to bringing Kyle Bartley from Swansea to Leeds.
Swansea’s Kyle Bartley in action with Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge
Leeds United are closing in on a deal to sign Swansea City defender Kyle Bartley on loan, the Yorkshire Evening Post report.
Bartley struggled for playing time at Swansea City last season in a competitive squad, but he is a player who current Leeds boss Garry Monk rates highly.
Former Swansea City manager Garry Monk
Monk pushed for Bartley to be offered a new deal at the Swans in 2014, and spoke highly of him at the time, quoted by The BBC:
“He has all the ingredients to be a top player for me. It was important to get him signed because he’s a young player.
“Kyle’s a great prospect for us, and one that I want to build up knowing that position as well as I do. I can see the potential in him.”
Bartley’s career is at a crossroads after a disappointing campaign in terms of playing time last year, and taking a step away from the Premier League, if temporarily, could be the right move.
Monk has an advantage in trying to sign him due to an already established rapport with the player.
Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud in action against Swansea’s Kyle Bartley
Monk was also quoted last season by online publication Sportal, talking up the defender’s performances: “The centre-half options I have between the four of them, it’s really competitive and you see that week in, week out, day in, day out and that’s what I want.
“It’s difficult decisions, but at this moment in time Kyle Bartley is performing very, very well. He still needs to improve in certain areas, which is where I work with him daily, but he’s done very well in the games that he’s played.”
Bartley would have to compete for his place with Sol Bamba and Liam Cooper, while Giuseppe Bellusci is also in the mix.
Kyle Bartley at Rangers applauding the fans
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