Leeds decided not to pursue interest in West Bromwich Albion ace despite fans wanting the centre-back.
If you asked Leeds fans at the end of last season who the club’s top targets should be, defender Kyle Bartley would have figured on most lists.
Bartley struck up a strong partnership with Pontus Jansson while on loan at Leeds in 2016/17 and without him last season the Whites’ defence fell apart.
Amid reports the defender was available, Leeds were expected to compete strongly for his signature once Swansea City decided to cash in.
Despite higher figures being touted, Bartley was sold for just £4 million, and Leeds surprisingly stepped aside as the defender joined West Bromwich Albion.
It was a decision which perplexed supporters, who were placated only by the belief that new manager Marcelo Bielsa knew what he was doing.
Bielsa and owner Andrea Radrizzani chose not to pursue Bartley and so far their decision has panned out, despite failing to sign another defender and struggling with injuries to the backline.
This weekend the decision made over Bartley will take a fresh angle when Leeds take on West Brom for the first time this season.
Will Bartley shut out Leeds’ dynamic attack and leave fans wondering what could have been?
Can Leeds’ defence cope with a West Brom side which has scored more goals than any other Championship team this season?
What happens at both ends of the pitch will influence how successful the decision not to sign Bartley ends up.
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