12:58pm Wednesday 20th January 2010
Southampton have tabled a £150,000 offer for Southend United’s top goalscorer Lee Barnard.
And the Gazette understands that Leeds United are interested in the forward who has netted 17 times already this season.
Barnard’s contract expires at end of the campaign when he could leave Roots Hall on a free transfer and the club must now decide whether or not to accept the first official bid for the 25-year-old.
“Southampton are the first to place a bid for Lee,” confirmed a source close to the Shrimpers.
“Leeds have also been in touch and expressed an interest but they have not come forward with a bid yet.”
Billericay-based Barnard joined Blues from Tottenham Hotspur in January 2008 and has netted 37 goals in 69 starts.
This season has been his best so far — due to his improved fitness record — and his fine form has now alerted other League One clubs.
Millwall were also among those believed to be monitoring his situation but Southampton manager Alan Pardew is the first to have made a move.
“We have made it quite obvious we are trying to move forward quickly and we are attracted by any player that is up for sale if they are within our in our realm,” said Pardew, “Lee Barnard is one of a number of names that has crossed our path and we are pursuing a number of areas.”
Southend, who have had real financial problems this season and only just avoided enterting adminsitration in November, recently accepted an offer of £150,000 for right-back Simon Francis from Peterborough United.
But Francis opted against making the move to London Road.
* JEAN Yves M’Voto will return to action for Southend United’s reserves at Ipswich Town this afternoon (Wednesday Jan 20) (kick off 2pm).
The on loan Sunderland centre-back, who is with the Shrimpers until the end of the season, has been out since September with a hip problem.
But he is set to play the first 45 minutes against the Tractor Boys.
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