Leeds United fans have been reacting on social media after Championship rivals West Bromwich Albion announced the signing of their former defender Kyle Bartley.
As reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, the 27-year-old was Leeds top transfer target this summer, but they’ve lost the race for his signature to the Baggies after they announced his signing.
Kyle Bartley is a Baggie!
???????#WBA pic.twitter.com/ylb16nd9gO
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) July 16, 2018
Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa will have to turn his attention to other targets after the former Elland Road loanee joined Albion on a three-year deal.
One Leeds fan said he was ‘heartbroken’ over Bartley signing for West Brom.
This is Futbol have rounded up the best tweets from a section of Leeds fans about missing out on Bartley to WBA:
https://twitter.com/FazzLuke24/status/1018790177047826432
Signing for west brom when he wanted Leeds, but the club didn’t want him… pic.twitter.com/krIdiG3IZ4
— Ash (@Oakes_89) July 16, 2018
I will be following his progress and dare I say it can hear myself saying "if only". Good luck to Kyle with his new club
???
— Dumpfor (@Dumpforsp) July 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/JonLaud/status/1018796171521941504
Heartbroken
— Josh (@Leeds___Lad) July 16, 2018
Gutted won't lie. Quailty addition in this division.
— Benjamin Thornton (@BenjaminTlufc) July 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/nathanlammy1/status/1018794020791832576
OPINION
Leeds fans are right to feel aggrieved after missing out on Bartley. He is one of the Championship’s best central defenders on his day and would improve any squad in the division. His strong partnership with Pontus Jansson was the bedrock for their impressive 7th placed league finish, as they just missed out on the play-offs. The only thing that would make things worse for the Elland Road faithful is if Jansson was to leave too in this window, that would leave the club desperately short on quality in defense next season. Marcelo Bielsa must keep hold of Jansson and find new quality additions, but that’s no easy task.