Blackpool have registered their interest in making a January move to sign Leeds United product Lewie Coyle, according to Football Insider.
Coyle has been on loan with Fleetwood Town since the start of the 2017/18 season, but is due to return to Elland Road at the turn of the year ahead of the final six months of his United contract.
Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa does not see a route for Coyle to enter into his plans for the second half of the season, and is willing to see the club sell the 24-year-old right-back this winter in order not to lose his services for free in the summer.
Fleetwood were understood to have entered into negotiations with United chiefs earlier this month, as head coach Joey Barton was eager to continue working with Coyle having deemed the defender to be a key part of his promotion-chasing League One side.
The Fisherman could now be rivalled by Blackpool, as the Seasiders have also registered their interest in signing Coyle after marking upgrades at full-back as one of their targets for the mid-season window as they, too, vie for promotion into the Championship.
Blackpool are keen to add a ‘proven’ full-back to Simon Grayson’s squad at Bloomfield Road, and feel Coyle is someone who would fit the bill.
What should January hold for Coyle?
Permanent move to Fleetwood
Permanent move to Blackpool
First-team role under Bielsa
Coyle has made 102 appearances in the third-tier during his two-and-a-half seasons on loan with Fleetwood Town, missing just eight games.
The 5 ft 6 right-back has started all 19 of his outings in League One this season, and captained the Fisherman in their 2-1 loss at Coventry City in October.
Our academy product has also assisted five goals in the league this term, taking his third-tier tally to 12 alongside three across the FA and EFL Cups.
Coyle has not represented United since making his 23rd senior appearance for the club against Wigan Athletic in May 2017, having debuted in December 2015 against Nottingham Forest in a 1-1 draw aged 20 years, 2 months and 12 days.
In other Leeds United news, a rarely-seen youngster has been backed to make 2019/20 his breakthrough season at Elland Road.