Leeds United have been linked with a move for Joe Williams.
Leeds United are taking an interest in Everton midfielder Joe Williams, according to The Sun (18/3 page 60).
Williams is on loan at Barnsley, where he was signed by Paul Heckingbottom who is now Leeds manager.
This plays into Leeds’ hands, but a potential clearout at Everton could scupper the Whites hopes of signing him.
Presently there is strong competition Williams has at Everton in order to get into the first team, but this is set to weaken this summer.
Morgan Schneiderlin could be sold after a disappointing 18 months at Goodison, while James McCarthy was a candidate to move on even before he suffered a broken leg.
Muhamed Besic is expected to be sold and is impressing on loan at Middlesbrough.
The departures of this trio would leave Idrissa Gueye as the only specialist defensive midfielder at Everton.
It would be sensible for Everton to offset departures by splashing out in the transfer market themselves, but as it stands, Williams could be set for a first team role.
The situation at Everton is very much in flux with doubts existing over whether Sam Allardyce will be manager next season, so it is difficult to project too far ahead.
But Leeds are unlikely to find it straightforward to acquire Williams and will have to wait and see how Everton’s situation plays out.
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