Transfer Gossip (Thursday, June 9): Leeds United eye Belgium ace and Manchester duo | Isgrove return to Barnsley possible

United tried to sign the Belgium youth international last summer, but a £1million offer was turned down.

The 21-year-old has had another impressive campaign in the Dutch Eredivisie this season and NEC have become resigned to losing the attacker this summer after he handed in a transfer request.

Garry Monk has also been linked with a season-long loan move for Manchester United bench-warmer Nick Powell.

Powell has spent the last three seasons playing out on loan and the former Crewe Alexandra frontman is expected to be sent out again under new boss Jose Mourinho.

A move for Powell could be part of a double raid on Old Trafford by Monk, with apparent interest in fellow youngster Ashley Fletcher, who starred on loan at Barnsley last campaign.

Fletcher’s former teammate and fellow loanee last season Lloyd Isgrove has issued a come and get me plea to rejoin Barnsley on a permanent deal.

The 23-year-old Southampton midfielder has admitted he would be open to a return to Oakwell, where he sparkled on loan as the club secured a memorable promotion back to the Championship and won the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

“Obviously I’ve got another year there [Southampton], but we’ll see what happens in the summer,” revealed Isgrove.

“But it’s been a great season and I’m happy I’ve been able to help Barnsley get back in the Championship.

“I’ll assess my options definitely [about coming back]. If they come in for me and the offer’s right they’ll have to speak to Southampton, but I don’t see why not.”

New Rotherham United boss Alan Stubbs is facing a battle to sign influential Celtic striker Anthony Stokes, who has been told he is free to leave the Hoops.

The 27-year-old spent the final months of last season on loan with Stubbs at Hibernian and helped the Edinburgh club end a 114-year wait to lift the Scottish Cup.
Stubbs has indicated that there will be several suitors looking to add Stokes to their squad but revealed Rotherham were interested.

“I wouldn’t rule out an interest in Anthony Stokes,” said Stubbs. “But we wouldn’t be on our own. There will be a number of clubs interested in him, particularly if it is a free transfer.

“I know him from his time at Hibs and at Celtic. Obviously, it doesn’t hurt that I have a good relationship with him already. I like to have a good relationship with all my players.

“I talk to them before and after training. I have had a lot of players from Hibs ring or text me to wish me well since I moved to Rotherham.”

Sheffield Wednesday are readying themselves for a bid from Coventry City to sign 23-year-old Caolan Lavery.

The Canadian-born forward has been at Wednesday since 2012 but he is unlikely to agree to a contract extension at Hillsborough after failing to nail down a first team place.

Goalkeeper Lewis Price and midfielder Jose Semedo have also been offered new deals at the Owls.

Defender Kieron Freeman could be another player leaving the steel city with Portsmouth understood to be monitoring the Sheffield United man.

Freeman is high on Pompey boss Paul Cook’s list of targets for the summer despite an unspectacular loan spell on the south coast last season.

Meanwhile, Blades will not battle Portsmouth to the signing of Huddersfield Town striker Lee Novak, despite parting company with Conor Sammon.