Leeds United are firmly in the race to sign Burnley striker Ashley Barnes by Wednesday night, according to the latest bookmakers’ odds.
BetVictor priced Leeds as 8/1 joint second-favourites with Chelsea and Norwich on Monday afternoon to land Barnes, 28, before the January transfer cut-off.
Crystal Palace (3/1) are the firm favourites to sign the front man, while Newcastle United and Fulham (both 10/1) are also in the bookies’ running.
Barnes’ future has been the subject of some speculation in recent weeks as he has just 18 months remaining on his contract at high-flying Burnley.
Sean Dyche’s side have punched way above their financial weight this season and are seventh in the Premier League as they eye qualification for next season’s Europa League.
OPINION
Barnes is a solid performer who would walk into Leeds’ team and be an instant upgrade on their other centre-forward options. He is not a prolific scorer, with just four goals in 26 appearances this season and 18 from 123 Burnley matches, but can combine the play, dovetail with more mobile players and provide a focal point to the attack. The former Brighton player has extensive experience of the Championship, scoring 53 times for the Seagulls from 170 matches, and he would certainly pep up a Leeds front line that functions only sporadically.