Leeds United could struggle to hold onto Tom Pearce with three Premier League clubs eyeing a bargain deal for the defender, according to a reliable football journalist.

Alan Nixon is reporting that Bournemouth are "very serious" about Pearce while Everton and one other unnamed Premier League club are interested.

Pearce broke into the first-team at Leeds towards the end of this season, playing five times and scoring his first senior goal in the win over Barnsley.

But his promising performances in the senior side at the end of the season have alerted clubs to the fact that he is out of contract this summer and he could be snapped up for a bargain compensation fee.

The 20-year-old joined Leeds in 2014 from Everton but now the Toffees want him back as a long-term replacement for Leighton Baines.

Bournemouth are also eyeing Pearce, who could be Charlie Daniels' long-term successor at the south coast club.

And a third Premier League club - who remain anonymous - have enquired about a price for the Leeds startlet.

Leeds have held contract talks with their promising youngster and they want to reward him with a higher wage but it is unclear yet whether he will be tempted with a move to the Premier League.

The Verdict

Keep your eyes on this one: it could be the transfer saga of the summer at Elland Road.

Leeds are clearly desperate to keep their academy product after he demonstrated his ability to step up to first-team football but the lure of the Premier League is always tempting for young players.

If I was Pearce, I would remain at Leeds - at least for one more year - to develop my game with regular minutes in the first-team and improve the defensive aspect of his game.

He is still a very raw talent and has looked good bombing forward but he still has some learning to do before he is ready for Premier League football.

Leeds fans - Can you keep Pearce? Let us know below...