Sources: Leeds ready last-ditch ambush for player Bielsa really wants
By Wayne Veysey
Leeds United will make one final push to try and beat Championship rivals and Celtic to the signing of Brentford midfielder Romaine Sawyers this summer, Football Insider has learned.
West Brom have been catapulted into pole position to land Sawyers after getting indications the player is keen to make the move to the Hawthorns in a move that could be completed within days.
The Baggies have had a £2.2million bid rejected for the 27-year-old, who is valued by Brentford at £3million. Scottish giants Celtic previously had a £2million bid for the Sawyers knocked back by the Londoners.
A source with knowledge of Sawyer's situation has told Football Insider there is remains strong interest in the versatile midfielder from Leeds, while Middlesbrough and Stoke City are also keeping tabs on his situation.
Leeds are ready to make one final move for the former Walsall player as they look to ambush West Brom's pursuit in the coming days.
The source explained that manager Marcelo Bielsa is a big admirer of Sawyers, who made his name in English football in mainly attacking roles before mainly settling into a deeper central role in the last year.
West Brom will hope to fend off Leeds' interest in the player as well as that of Celtic, who accept the player is now likely to remain in England.
Sawyers is entering the final year of his contract at Brentford and has emerged as a top target for some many clubs due to his pedigree, experience and relatively affordable price.
He has been a fulcrum of the Brentford side that is now firmly established as top-half Championship outfit, making 41 league starts among 46 appearances for the club last season.
Sawyers also skippered the Bees for most of the second half of last season and has also been doing so in pre-season.