Leeds target Joe Williams hailed Paul Heckingbottom in November

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Leeds United are reportedly keen on Everton’s Joe Williams.

Leeds United boss Paul Heckingbottom will be lining up new signings for the summer transfer window, and he may return for some of his former players.

The Whites have won just once under Heckingbottom since his appointment in February, as Thomas Christiansen’s replacement looks to steady the ship at Elland Road.

Despite some poor results, such as Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, Heckingbottom will almost certainly be given the summer transfer window to bring in new signings, and trusted players appear to be on his wish list.

The Sun (18/3, page 60) reported that Heckingbottom wants to reunite with three current Barnsley players, with Andy Yiadom, Everton loanee Joe Williams and Swansea City-owned Oliver McBurnie all on his wish list.

All three would be smart signings for Leeds, and midfielder Wiliams has really impressed this season, having spent the season at Oakwell on loan from Premier League side Everton.

The 21-year-old was all-action in the Barnsley midfield under Heckingbottom, and it’s no great surprise that the Leeds boss fancies a reunion – especially given the midfielder’s comments about Heckingbottom himself.

Back in November, Williams spoke to Sky Sports about his move to Oakwell, and revealed that speaking to Heckingbottom convinced him to join the club – and the Leeds boss had signalled his intent by watching Williams in action for the Everton Under-23’s on a number of occasions.

“The manager had been to a few Everton Under-23 games,” said Williams. “There were a few other teams interested as well but I met with [Heckingbottom] and he told me what the team was about and how they played, and that chat with him made me want to come here,” he added.

Heckingbottom may now be hoping that his powers of persuasion can help him land Williams for a second time this summer, with the prospect of a reunion at Elland Road potentially appealing to the young midfielder after impressing under Heckingbottom with Barnsley.