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Aston Villa edge Leeds United out of race for defensive recruit

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Josh Feeney will not be joining Leeds United this summer with Aston Villa the young centre-back’s preferred destination.

Leeds are known to be driving youth recruitment alongside senior matters this summer and seemingly had an eye on Feeney at Fleetwood Town.

However, Elland Road doesn’t look the likely destination for the England youth international.

A report from Birmingham Mail has revealed that Aston Villa is the 16-year-old’s preferred destination this summer despite a sea of interest from elsewhere.

The report later goes on to reveal Leeds’ interest in the centre-back, who has really caught the eye at Fleetwood.

He’s been involved on the bench three times for the first-team before his 16th birthday, whilst Feeney has also impressed for England’s under-16s, who he captains.

Feeney sounds like a top talent. There are positive reports about his style of play and character everywhere you look, so it’s massively disappointing to be missing out on the ball-playing centre-back.

Andrea Radrizzani, Victor Orta and Marcelo Bielsa all take pride in recruiting for the under-23s and under-18s, with Leeds willing to offer development and a progression path where other clubs don’t.

They would have hoped that would have given them an edge chasing Feeney, but it isn’t to be. That’s not the end of the world either.

Leeds will be focusing on other young targets in the coming weeks and months, looking to evolve their academy set-up.

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Leeds United Season Ticket Holder at Elland Road for over 20 seasons. Currently nestled in N12, but occasionally offering views from the press box. We’ve been through it all together? You bet.