According to Football Insider,Marc Leonardis interested in midfielder Marc Leonard, who recently finished his second loan stint at Northampton Town.
After returning to the Cobblers in July of last year on a second season-long contract, the 22-year-old has had an outstanding season. After making 49 appearances across all competitions and contributing 11 goals, the former Scotland under-21 international concluded his tenure at Sixfields by earning both the club’s Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards.
A new contract was signed by Leonard at Brighton & Hove Albion prior to his transfer to the League One team. The Seagulls, though, are reportedly eager to profit this summer.
The player was previously connected to Portsmouth, but their interest is said to have halted with their promotion to the Championship. Though it doesn’t seem like everyone agrees with Pompey, it is thought that he is not yet ready to move up to the second tier.
Hull City is reportedly eager to get the playmaker, who could be had for a potentially attractive £300,000. But Sheffield United is also in the running, so the Tigers aren’t the only team with an interest.
Following their instant relegation from the Premier League, the Blades are seeking to bolster their roster with new players. Despite having a terrible season, they were promoted to the top division as runners-up the previous season.
In addition to the two mentioned teams, Plymouth Argyle, Preston North End, and Cardiff City are associated. But according to Northampton manager Jon Brady, Leonard should be considered for a summer move to Glasgow by Scottish powerhouses Celtic and Rangers. The 49-year-old said in an interview with Record Sport:
“I think Marc Leonard is someone who both Rangers and Celtic should be looking at, both in the short and long terms. Although I am aware that both sides have excellent midfield players, Marc is a superb young Scottish player. He has the potential to succeed for either the Rangers or the Celtics, and I think he can reach the pinnacle of the game.
While acknowledging that the loanee is now too excellent for League One, Brady did disclose that there is interest from Championship:
He is now, understandably, beyond our reach. The English Championship is showing a great deal of interest in him.
“I think he should be pushing himself, if not in the Championship, given his ability. Any team in that league would be very fortunate to have him.
It’s frightening how much better he’s become. He was a very skilled technical player when he first started, but he has since advanced greatly.In the end, he was just grabbing games by the scruff of the neck and making a genuine impact. He has responded to every challenge we gave him. He arrived as a youthful athlete but departed from Northampton as an adult.
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