Fleetwood Town eye swoop for Leeds United's Lewie Coyle

Fleetwood Town boss Joey Barton wants Lewie Coyle to be part of his first season in management with the League One club bidding to sign the defender on loan from Leeds United for a second time.

Coyle is on Barton’s list of transfer targets following a successful spell at Highbury Stadium last term which earned the 22-year-old two player-of-the-year accolades.

Coyle’s appearances for Fleetwood earned him awards from both the club’s players and supporters and Fleetwood are looking to loan him again after installing Barton as their new boss.

The former Manchester City midfielder was a surprise choice as Fleetwood’s manager following the club’s decision to dispense with John Sheridan towards the end of last season.

Leeds United's Pablo Hernandez helps hometown club to promotionSheridan was brought in to keep Fleetwood clear of relegation after the dismissal of Uwe Rosler, the coach who originally signed Coyle from Leeds, but Fleetwood put their faith in Barton despite the 35-year-old being temporarily banned from football due to a breach of the Football Association’s betting regulations.

That suspension ended on June 1, allowing Barton to take up a three-year contract, and Coyle is set to become one of his summer recruits if Leeds choose to make him available for another move.

Coyle, United’s former Under-21 captain, is well regarded at Elland Road but has failed to nail down a regular place since breaking through from the club’s academy.

The right-back played 48 times in League One last term and Leeds are weighing up his immediate future with new head coach Marcelo Bielsa expected to use a three-man defensive line during the forthcoming Championship season.

New Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa looking to add ‘four or five’ new facesLeeds, who have already sold goalkeeper Felix Wiedwald to Eintracht Frankfurt, have been working on outgoing deals alongside potential signings in an effort to fulfil Bielsa’s demand for a “lean” squad.

Italian club Brescia have negotiated a fee for Marcus Antonsson and want to sign the forward on a two-year deal while Pawel Cibicki - brought in from Swedish club Malmo last August - has also been attracting interest since the early stages of the summer.

Bielsa, who began working with United’s squad on Monday, has notified the first-team players who he wants to depart Elland Road.