Barnsley assistant manager Dale Tonge has revealed that the club have not made an approach to sign Leeds United defender Tom Pearce.

The Yorkshire Evening Post reported earlier this week that Barnlsey were interested in signing the 20-year-old left-back on a permanent deal before the end of the transfer window.

Pearce came through the academy at Elland Road and made five appearances for Leeds last season, before spending the second half of the campaign on loan at Scunthorpe United in League One.

The defender made his breakthrough for the first-team towards the end of the 2017/18 season, making five appearances in the Championship and scoring his first goal for the club in a win over Barnsley at Elland Road.

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Pearce was not included in Marcelo Bielsa's pre-season plans this summer and Leeds are thought to be open to offers for him.

However, Barnsley assistant manager Tonge has insisted that the club have not made an approach to sign the left-back, but admitted that the club did discuss signing him earlier in the transfer window.

Tonge also revealed that Barnsley are still looking for a new left-back this summer, with head coach Daniel Stendel keen to strengthen his defensive options ahead of the new season.

There has already been some transfer activity involving Leeds and Barnsley this summer, with defender Aapo Halme and winger Mallik Wilks both leaving Elland Road for Oakwell on permanent deals.

The Verdict

Pearce is an exciting talent and he's definitely got potential to be a good player.

It doesn't seem as though he is part of Bielsa's plans for Leeds this season though, so it would make sense for him to leave Elland Road to find regular first-team football.

He'd be a decent signing for Barnsley and the Tykes could do with another left-back to provide cover and competition for Ben Williams and Daniel Pinollosal, though Tonge's latest comments suggest they are no longer interested in signing him.