Exclusive: North-west club make move today to sign Leeds big name in instant deal
Blackburn Rovers made contact with Leeds United this morning regarding a late-window move for Barry Douglas, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.
The 31-year-old has been given permission to leave Elland Road before the domestic window shuts at 5pm on Friday.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Blackburn have contacted the Premier League side as they look to beat Watford to the defender's signature.
However, the Hornets remain favourites to sign the former Scotland international who has entered the final 12 months of his contract at the Yorkshire club.
Football Insider understands that Leeds have reduced their asking price for Douglas as they would prefer the left-back to leave on a permanent basis, rather than on loan.
The Whites are willing to accept less than half of the £3million they paid Wolves to sign Douglas in 2018 as they look to trim their wage bill after a number of arrivals this summer.
Watford made an approach for the left-back earlier this month but now face competition from Championship rivals Blackburn as both clubs look to bolster their defence by Friday.
Douglas has failed to make any of Marcelo Bielsa's matchday squads for the first four Premier League fixtures of the 2020/21 campaign.
His only appearance came in the EFL Cup defeat to Hull City when Leeds fielded a weakened team made up of fringe and youth players.
The Scottish defender has slipped down to fourth in the left-back pecking order at Elland Road, Stuart Dallas, Ezgjan Alioski and youngster Leif Davis all preferred by Bielsa.
In other Leeds United news, Alex McLeish claims Manchester City were 'scared' of Leeds attacker.