Kyle Bartley’s wages at Swansea could prove to be a major hurdle for Leeds United and Rangers to overcome as they continue their interest in signing the centre-back, according to the Daily Record.
The newspaper claimed in their live transfer blog on Saturday [05:13pm] that Bartley’s £28,000-a-week wage package at the Liberty Stadium could rule out a return to either Elland Road or Ibrox having previously had spells on loan at both clubs.
It is understood that Swansea are yet to receive any offers for the defensive powerhouse, but Leeds and Rangers remain keen on re-signing him in the summer transfer window.
OPINION
Bartley would be a very good signing for both Leeds and Rangers. He was in dazzling form at Elland Road while on loan in Yorkshire last season, wearing the captain’s armband as Garry Monk’s men finished just outside the Championship play-off places. Him and Pontus Jansson were among the two best centre-backs in the league that season and reuniting them should be a priority for Victor Orta and Paul Heckingbottom. As for Rangers, Bartley’s spell at Ibrox was not as memorable. However he has improved a lot since then and is without doubt better than any of the current centre-back options that Steven Gerrard has at his disposal. Leeds have a very strict wage cap and it seems that they would have to break that in order to sign Bartley while Rangers may find it difficult to meet his wage demands given the fact that they have already completed three signings.