Garry Monk aims for Kyle Bartley in offseason… as long as he’s at Leeds United

While Garry Monk’s future with Leeds is not necessarily certain, the Whites’ boss has already said that if he stays with the club, signing Kyle Bartley is a priority.

The defender has been on season-long loan from Swansea City, and with Monk as a former teammate and coach of Bartley at Swansea, the two were obviously very familiar with each other even before the 2016/17 season.

Monk told Yorkshire Daily News writer Phil Hay when asked about signing Bartley:

“Of course. Kyle’s been tremendous this season. “Obviously I’ve got experience with Kyle and I know him very well, but he’d be the first to tell you that this has been by far his best season and by far his best progression as a footballer – the best football he’s ever played.”

Before loaning Bartley to Leeds, Swansea management re-upped his contract with the Welsh side. His contract with the Swans will expire in 2018.

Over the course of this season at Leeds, Bartley notched six league goals and two assists in the 45 games he started. (The lone game he did not start for the Whites was a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa on Dec. 29, 2016.)

Late in the season, Bartley had his best form, scoring once in a 2-1 loss at Burton Albion and another in the 3-3 draw against Norwich City.

If you missed it, our own James Mahoney made this case for the Whites to sign Bartley to a deal soon.

And if you need further convincing, check these numbers out:

“He’d be the first to tell you that this has been by far his best season and by far his best progression as a footballer – the best football he’s ever played,” Monk said of Bartley to Hay.

We saw this back before the January transfer window when we “lightly suggested” the club ink Bartley on a long-term deal.

That discussion will now be had between Monk and team owner Andrea Radrizziani as the two plan to sit down to discuss Monk’s future as well as the pair’s vision for the team.