Leeds United are reportedly keen to bring Kyle Bartley back to Elland Road during the summer.
Bartley was superb during his loan spell at Leeds. The centre-back often wore the captain’s armband and proved to be a brilliant leader as the Whites came desperately close to securing a play-off spot in the Championship.
His form worked against Leeds however, as Swansea ultimately handed him a new deal and looked to include him more regularly in the first-team at the Liberty Stadium. But the Whites are now hoping that this summer may be the time that they bring him back to Yorkshire – though the Swans’ relegation has certainly left them facing an uphill battle trying to get something done.
The Yorkshire Evening Post reported earlier this week that Swansea are likely to ask for a larger transfer fee than if they had managed to stay up given that the two sides will be playing in the same division next term. But rather than be deemed a setback by Andrea Radrizzani, Leeds should view Swansea’s demands as an opportunity to make an even greater statement.
Leeds getting Bartley back when his asking price has increased will send out a message of intent that may also help when it comes to trying to get other targets through the Elland Road door this summer as it is apparent that Radrizzani is determined to build a squad that should definitely be challenging for promotion next season.
Potential targets would be forgiven for hesitating over the prospect of joining Leeds this summer after a year where they, on the pitch at least, seemed to take a significant step backwards from the 2016/17 season. Putting in the kind of bid that tempts Swansea to sell Bartley would send out a message that Leeds have learned their lesson from this past campaign’s mistakes.
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