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Leeds United fans with mixed reaction to Kyle Bartley transfer

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Kyle Bartley has joined West Bromwich Albion. The Swansea defender has called time on his career at the Liberty Stadium, joining the Baggies in a deal worth an initial £4 million, potentially rising to £6 million.

For fans of Leeds United, it has caused some mixed emotions.

Bartley is fondly remembered at Elland Road and rightly so.

He was exceptional under Garry Monk and formed a brilliant partnership with Pontus Jansson in the Leeds back-line. The pair nearly led Leeds to play-off contention, but eventually came up agonisingly short.

So, when it was reported in the Spring that Leeds were after Bartley again, it had Leeds fans very excited.

As reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds opened discussions over signing the player back in April. They hoped to tie up a deal soon after the season finished.

(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

But various factors got in the way. Swansea got relegated, which delayed a decision on his availability. They were then searching for a new manager after Carlos Carvalhal left. Things also changed at Leeds. Paul Heckingbottom got the boot and the club then went on a prolonged hunt to bring in Marcelo Bielsa.

Since then the interest appeared to dry up and many Leeds fans are now gutted a deal has not been pushed through whilst a Championship rival has strengthened.

But that is not a universal opinion. Others trust in Bielsa having something up his sleeve and question Bartley’s fitness after two spells on the sidelines.

Here is a selection of reaction to the news…