Middlesbrough could enter the race to sign Swansea defender Kyle Bartley, possibly dashing any hopes Leeds United have of bringing him back to the club.
Kyle Bartley enjoyed a successful spell on loan at Leeds United last season
Middlesbrough will be likely to enter the race for Swansea City defender Kyle Bartley, now that Garry Monk has been installed as manager at the RIverside Stadium.
If Middlesbrough are to make a move for the 26-year-old then it will all but end any hopes Leeds United had of bringing Bartley back to Elland Road.
Kyle Bartley played 50 games for Leeds United last season
Bartley was on a season-long loan from Premier League strugglers Swansea and was a stand-out performer for a Leeds side under the stewardship of Monk.
His impressive performances in the heart of the Leeds defence led to calls from their supporters for the club to make a summer bid for him to return to the club on a permanent basis.
Leeds’ hopes of signing Bartley were dealt a severe blow, however, when Swans boss Paul Clement revealed that the former Arsenal defender was part of his future plans at the Liberty Stadium.
Kyle Bartley has made just 26 appearances for Swansea since joining in 2012
Despite Clement having Bartley in his first-team plans, if the club were to receive a substantial bid for the defender then it’s thought likely that they will let him move on.
Middlesbrough will have the funds to make a move for Bartley with the aid of Premier League parachute payments. The club also look set to lose influential defender Ben Gibson in a big money move in the summer, and will seek to replace him quickly.
After Friday’s announcement that Monk was the new man at the helm at the Riverside Stadium, a reunion between Monk and Bartley is a distinct possibility.
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