The Swansea City defender has enjoyed a superb campaign on loan at Leeds United.
In recent comments published by Wales Online, Swansea City manager Paul Clement suggested that centre-back Kyle Bartley will be heading back to the Liberty Stadium when his loan spell at Leeds United concludes.
“As far as I’m concerned he’s a Swansea player and he’s staying,” Clement was quoted as saying.
But while the chances of Leeds bringing the defender back to Elland Road next season are extremely slim, there may be a sliver of hope after the Swans secured their top-flight status for another year.
Had Swansea been relegated, Bartley could have walked straight into their back line after excelling in the second tier for Leeds this season. Instead he will be heading back to a club where competition for places is only likely to increase after a busy summer transfer window.
At 25, Bartley will be desperate to play week in, week out in Wales. However he has struggled in the past and if Clement signs a new defender – which is only speculation at this stage – the one-time Arsenal man is not going to find chances any easier to come by.
Leeds manager Garry Monk knows Bartley well and has watched him form a superb partnership with Pontus Jansson in the Championship.
How he could do with the pair again next year. And while Clement has spoken, the Leeds hierarchy should keep a very close eye on the goings on at Swansea and potentially chance their hand again this summer.
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