Josh Scowen and Marley Watkins are both out of contract at Barnsley – but could they both make the move across the county with Leeds United?
Barnsley’s Marley Watkins
You’ve got to feel for Barnsley. As if it wasn’t bad enough seeing top scorer Sam Winnall leave them for Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday, it appears there’s a very real chance 10-goal winger Marley Watkins could sign for Leeds United when his contract expires in a matter of days.
The Daily Mail claim that the Whites have been tracking the one-time Swansea City prospect for a number of months. And, with seven assists added to his double figure goal tally in the season just gone, it appears that Watkins is the ideal addition to a side lacking creativity and end product in the wide areas.
However, just to add insult to injury, perhaps Leeds should consider pulling off an inspired double swoop. Josh Scowen is set to join Watkins on the free agents list and The Sun reported in January that he has offers from both Burnley and Wednesday.
The 24-year-old has been an almost ever present in the Barnsley midfield this season, his tenacity and hard-working displays making him indispensable to manager Paul Heckingbottom.
And there’s no doubt he’d fit in to what was an energetic Leeds United side under Monk. Scowen averages an industrious 2.3 tackles per game but his four assists highlights a composure and quality on the ball that the likes of Liam Bridcutt and Kalvin Phillips would struggle to match.
Furthermore, Leeds have one of the smallest squads in the division and, if they are to last the course over 46 games next season after throwing away their play-off hopes in the final weeks, reinforcements are required.
Scowen may be more than a reinforcement, however. He could be an upgrade too.
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