Championship side Sheffield United have placed a bid for Southend United midfielder Ryan Leonard, according to BBC Radio Sheffield journalist Jonathan Buchan.
The Blades tried to sign the League One midfielder in the summer but were unable to lure him to Bramall Lane. Chris Wilder is a big fan of Leonard and wants to try and sign him again in January.
Sheffield United need another central midfielder after Paul Coutts suffered a broken leg in November. They have made a great start to life back in the Championship and currently find themselves in the Play-Off positions.
Leonard, 25, has played over 200 games for Southend United. He has been one of their most consistent players under Phil Brown over the past few seasons and is usually linked with moves away during transfer windows.
He started his career with Plymouth Argyle after coming up through their academy. He made his debut for them in 2010 in a home against Blackpool in the Championship aged just 18. However, that was the only game he played for Argyle and was sent on loan to Weston-Super-Mare and Tiverton.
He signed for Southend in July 2011 after impressing for them on trail. He was part of the Southend team who were promoted to League One via a League Two Play-Off final win against Wycombe Wanderers.
Leonard is experienced at League One level and it will be interesting to see him step up into the Championship. Southend have already turned down Sheffield United before for him, but they will let him go this time?
