Bristol Rovers ‘enquiry’ for Brighton man on loan at Northampton - Swansea and PNE interested

Bristol Rovers have been linked with a new name in the January transfer window - and they could steal him from Northampton Town.
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Bristol Rovers are one of several clubs reportedly interested in signing Brighton & Hove Albion youngster Marc Leonard. The Gas are on the hunt for new signings in the January transfer window and Leonard, a young midfielder, could fit the bill of what Joey Barton looks for in a player.

Leonard is on loan at League Two promotion hopefuls Northampton Town and has been a regular feature in their side. The 21-year-old has played 24 times for the Cobblers in the current campaign, scoring once.

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The Scotland Under-21 international has started 19 of the 27 matches he has been involved in this season. He is on a season-long loan at Sixfields, but it is unclear whether his loan would be brought to an end and if there is a recall clause that could be activated this month.

Charlie Parker-Turner, a journalist for the Daily Express, says that Leonard is ‘still proving hot property in the EFL’. He added that Rovers, along with their League One rivals Forest Green Rovers and Morecambe have made an enquiry to sign him on loan.

“Marc Leonard is still proving hot property in the EFL,” Parker-Turner tweeted. “Bristol Rovers, Morecambe and Forest Green have all enquired about signing him on loan for the remainder of the campaign, Swansea and Preston interested in permanent deals. Situation should become clearer soon.

“Not a foregone conclusion that Leonard leaves Northampton at this stage. Ball firmly in Brighton’s court given players contract situation.”

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Rovers and their two divisional rivals could face competition from the Championship however with Swansea City and Preston North End interested in a permanent deal. it is added that the situation should become clearer soon for the Seagulls youngster.

Northampton is Leonard's first time away from the Sussex club, having joined them from Heart of Midlothian in 2014. The Glasgow-born midfielder has two senior appearances for the Seagulls, both coming in the Carabao Cup, he was once named on the bench in a Premier League game.

He has been capped seven times for Scotland at Under-21 level, and has played in the same team as promotion hero Elliot Anderson, who was at the Memorial Stadium as a loan player last season.

Rovers currently have three players on season-long loan deals. Middlesbrough gave assurances that they would not recall Josh Coburn. Lewis Gibson and Bobby Thomas, on loan from Everton and Burnley respectively, and are expected to see out the remainder of the season.

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The potential arrival of Leonard would take their loan signings up to four after Sylvester Jasper’s return to Fulham. The maximum number of loan players in a match-day squad is five. If Leonard were to join then he would not count in their 22-man squad, as he is 21-years-old.

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