Leeds United need Swansea City to survive if they are to stand a strong chance of signing Kyle Bartley.
In recent weeks Kyle Bartley has established himself as not only one of Leeds United’s star players, but among the best defenders in the Championship.
The centre-back has struck up a solid partnership with Pontus Jansson for the Whites, who have moved to within one point of a play-off place.
Leeds United’s Kyle Bartley in action with QPR’s Sebastien Polter
The problem for Leeds is both players are on loan, and while they can sign Jansson from Torino once he has played 20 games, thanks to a clause in the deal, no such option exists regarding Bartley.
The defender appears to be enjoying his time at Elland Road, where he is playing regularly, but if they are to sign him permanently, Leeds could do with Swansea remaining in the Premier League.
Heading into this evening’s game against Stoke City, Swansea sat in 19th position, with just one win all season in the league. Their luck did not change against Mark Hughes side, who won 3-1.
If the Swans suffer relegation, then they are likely to look at what Bartley has been doing for Leeds this season, and decide to use him themselves in the Championship next season.
Blackburn’s Danny Graham in action with Leeds’ Kyle Bartley
Expendable in their view as a Premier League side, in the Championship, Bartley would suddenly become an asset.
One option for Leeds, if they prefer not to gamble on Swansea staying up, is to get ahead of the game, and push for a permanent deal for the centre-half in the January transfer window.
At this point, Leeds have surely seen enough of Bartley to pass judgement that he is a player they want to sign on a permanent basis.
He is currently under contract at Swansea until 2018, which could tempt them into cashing in, but if it gets to next summer and the south Wales club are a Championship side, then prising him away will become a lot harder for Leeds.
Blackburn Rovers’s Martin Samuelson in action with Leeds United’s Kyle Bartley
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