Barnsley have agreed a fee in the region of around £275,000 for Leeds United defender Tom Pearce, according to journalist Alan Nixon.

The 21-year-old has been attracting interest from plenty of high-profile clubs in the EFL, after becoming surplus to requirements under Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road.

The left-back made just nine appearances whilst on loan with Scunthorpe United in League One last term, and couldn't prevent the Iron from being relegated to League Two.

FLW exclusively reported that both Sunderland and Portsmouth were weighing up last-ditch moves for Pearce, but also claimed that Barnsley remained in pole position to land the young defender.

And now, as expected, Barnsley have made a breakthrough in their pursuit of Pearce, with both sides agreeing a deal worth around £275,000 according to Nixon.

If he does join the Tykes, Pearce would become the third Leeds player to put pen to paper at Oakwell this summer, with fellow youngsters Aapo Halme and Mallik Wilks also signing for the Yorkshire club.

Pearce still has three years left on his contract at Elland Road, but it seems as if any fee will do for Bielsa and Leeds, as the Argentine looks to clear the deadwood and bring in fresh faces ahead of tomorrow's deadline.

The Verdict

I think that Leeds really could have got more out of Barnsley if they tried, considering that his deal at Elland Road doesn't expire until 2022.

He didn't make as many appearances as he perhaps would have liked at Scunthorpe last season, but he still impressed during his brief stint at Glanford Park, hence why Pompey and Sunderland are interested.

Barnsley definitely need to strengthen at left-back, and Pearce would definitely provide much-needed competition in that particular position.

Getting another player off the wage bill will be beneficial for Bielsa in the final couple of days in the transfer window.