Leeds United have slapped a £500,000 asking price on Lewie Coyle amid interest from Sunderland, Blackpool and Fleetwood Town, according to Football Insider.
Coyle returned to Elland Road on New Years’ Day at the expiration of his latest loan spell with Fleetwood, but likely faces a return through the exit door in West Yorkshire with his contract at the club due to expire in the summer.
United are claimed to be working on facilitating a winter move for Coyle so that we can secure a transfer fee for his expected departure, with Sunderland the latest side to join the race for the 5 ft 8 right-back.
Reports over the weekend claimed that the Black Cats are hopeful they can agree a permanent deal for Coyle this month, as manager Phil Parkinson is looking to land a specialist right-back and feels the Whites product fits the bill.
Coyle thrived in the position throughout his loan spells with Fleetwood since the start of the 2017/18 season, having penned 16 assists in 120 appearances across all competitions.
He also boasted his best numbers in League One with the Fisherman this season before his half-term deal expired, with five assists in 22 games having recorded four in the ’17/18 term and three in ’18/19.
Fleetwood boss Joey Barton was vividly impressed by Coyle’s performances under his leadership at Highbury, and reports in December claimed the ex-Newcastle United midfielder had made clear to the 24-year-old of his wishes to sign the defender on a permanent deal.
United were also claimed to be in talks with Fleetwood over a deal, while further rumours suggested Coyle would be happy to leave Elland Road on a full-time basis and become a permanent Fleetwood player in January.
Blackpool later made their interest known towards Christmas Day, as the Seasiders are in the market for a new full-back – like Sunderland – and are aware that Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa has no plans to offer Coyle a second-chance.
Who would you prefer Coyle to play for come February?
Leeds
Fleetwood
Blackpool
Sunderland
Coyle’s last of 23 senior Leeds appearances came before Bielsa’s appointment in 2018, with the Hull-born right-back given a rare run-out against Wigan Athletic under Garry Monk on May 7, 2017.
Bielsa’s continued preference to allow Coyle to join Fleetwood on loan, and now perhaps sell him, shows the boss has no time for the 24-year-old and a January deal for the club and player makes sense.
It is now simply going to be a case of waiting until someone meets our alleged £500,000 asking price, or whether a deal can be struck before the window slams shut at 23:00 on Friday 31st.
In other Leeds United news, the club’s hopes of landing a £5m playmaker have taken a major dent.