By Craig Scott

14th Sep, 2020 | 11:10am

David Ornstein shares significant update in Leeds & Newcastle pursuit of PL defender

Leeds United and Newcastle United are set to miss out on Joe Bryan with the left-back agreeing a new contract at Fulham, according to David Ornstein.

Writing on The Athletic’s website, the respected football journalist reported that Bryan, 26, has committed his future to Craven Cottage by shaking hands on a new long-term deal.

It is understood that Leeds, Newcastle, Leicester and West Brom were all keen on the former Bristol City defender, whose previous deal expired in less than two years’ time.

But the Whites have now seen their pursuit of Fulham’s play-off hero come to a dead-end and hand a big blow in their bid to sign a new left-back.

Last month, Ornstein’s colleague at The Athletic, Phil Hay, reported that Bryan was someone who was mentioned to him as a left-back target for Leeds United. However, he did add that the Yorkshire giants had not been properly pursuing the 26-year-old.

Since winning promotion to the Premier League, Leeds have been linked with a few left-backs while Barry Douglas was reportedly a target for Celtic earlier in the transfer window [Sky Sports].

We’ve not heard much else regarding Douglas’ potentially leaving Elland Road but Marcelo Bielsa does not have the widest array of left-back options in his squad, even with the former Wolves man.

Leif Davis is the only other out-and-out left-back but he’s very much a young and inexperienced player while Stuart Dallas and Ezgjan Alioski are seen as Bielsa’s main choices in that role.

But both of them are seen more as wingers and it wouldn’t be a shock for Bielsa to want a natural left-back in his squad if Douglas was to move on.

But the new left-back won’t be Bryan, that’s for sure, in what is news that’s very much welcomed at Craven Cottage.

In other Leeds United news, Hay’s claimed that the Whites should sign this player in a matter of days.