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Leeds United: Chase is on for Martin
Leeds United are vying to sign highly-rated Manchester United winger Lee Martin.
The 22-year-old is on Leeds' list of summer transfer targets, but United will face competition from at least two Championship clubs.
Ipswich Town and Bristol City are also interested in recruiting the Old Trafford trainee, who is one year away from the end of his contract, and both clubs are believed to have submitted official offers for the left-sided player.
Manchester United are not certain to sell Martin, who would command a sizeable fee approaching seven figures, and a definitive decision on his future is likely to be taken next month.
He has made only one league appearance for his parent club and is anxious to secure regular first-team football by departing the Premier League champions.
Martin's lack of opportunities has seen him complete loan spells with five different clubs in the past three seasons – taking him to Stoke, Plymouth, Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest and Scottish Premier League side Rangers.
His only top-flight outing for Manchester United came at Hull last month.
Martin would prefer a transfer to the Championship over a drop into League One, but he would not rule out a switch to Leeds if the Elland Road club came forward with an acceptable deal.
A source close to Martin told the YEP: "Manchester United haven't said that they're definitely going to sell him, but Lee wants first-team football and he wants to move on.
"A couple of Championship clubs are looking at him but he'd keep his options open and wouldn't rule out a move to Leeds.
"It's not just about money – Leeds are a big club and there's a very good chance they'll get out of League One next season. It could be a very good option for him."
Martin progressed from the youth-team ranks at Old Trafford four years ago and made his first-team debut in a League Cup game between Manchester United and Barnet in 2005 – when current Ipswich manager Roy Keane was in the playing squad.
He was sent on loan to Rangers and Stoke in the 2006-07 term and began this season with Forest, playing 14 times and scoring one goal.
His senior outings as a professional have totalled 62.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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