By Craig Scott

14th Jan, 2022 | 11:40am

Leeds United in pursuit of Blackburn centre-mid John Buckley - Sky Sports

Leeds United are in hot pursuit of Blackburn Rovers central midfielder John Buckley, according to Sky Sports.

The broadcaster reported via their Transfer Centre on Friday [14 January, 11:24am] that Burnley are also in the hunt to sign the versatile 24-year-old, who can play in a range of different midfield positions.

Buckley won the Championship player of the month award for December and has been an ever-present for Tony Mowbray’s high-flying Blackburn this season.

Good fit?

Buckley, on the face of it, ticks a lot of boxes for Marcelo Bielsa.

He’s naturally a central midfielder but over the course of his 26 appearances in all competitions for Blackburn this season, the Manchester-born ace has played at right-back, central midfield, defensive midfield, attacking midfield, on the left and right wings and up front.

Stuart Dallas, keep an eye on this guy.

Buckley’s versatility is fantastic but he’s also a young player who’s going places in the sport.

Mowbray has always been a fan of the 22-year-old midfielder. In February 2020, the Rovers boss was quoted by the Lancashire Telegraph as saying he’s a “wonderful talent”.

Almost two years on from that praise, the Ewood Park academy product is a regular for a team that’s really impressed in the Championship this season with Blackburn sat third in the league.

In March 2021, Mowbray said Buckley will one day in the Premier League.

Well, Mowbray might be right.

In his last seven Championship appearances, Buckley has scored once and assisted four goals.

He’s in form, he’s got a great future ahead of him and he definitely seems like a Bielsa player.

In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has detailed a Samuel Saiz-esque situation involving a Leeds player this week.