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Eight EFL clubs battle it out for highly rated 22 year old with Brighton willing to let him go

Eight EFL clubs battle it out for highly rated 22 year old Marc Leonard with Brighton & Hove Albion willing to let him go.

Leonard has just ended his two year stay at Northampton where he had been out on loan and helped the Cobblers to a commendable 14th-place finish in League One after their promotion from League Two the previous season.

He has become a vital key player, playing a crucial role across 45 matches of the promotion campaign, with Northampton keen on extending his stay.

The ex-Scotland Under-21 player continued to impress in the third tier, scoring five goals and providing six assists along the way.

He has been described to be a young, technically strong, creative and extremely durable and virtually ever-present in League One last season.

Leonard has attracted interest from several EFL clubs, with Sheffield United, Portsmouth, Preston North End, Hull City, and Plymouth Argyle all reportedly in the mix.

However, Birmingham, Oxford United, and Wrexham are the front-runners in the race to secure his signature.

A fee of just £300,000 is said to be enough to secure his services, offering great value for money, a coup for whoever he signs for.

Brighton, known for their talent development, have decided to part ways with Leonard this summer.

Despite the cut-price deal, which is unusual for Brighton owner Tony Bloom, the player’s contract situation has influenced the decision with add-ons to be part of any transfer deal, ensuring Brighton benefits in the long run.

The club that secures Leonard’s services could potentially make one of the best bargains of the summer transfer window, it’s no wonder so many are after his signature.

HIS CAREER:

Youth career
Rangers
2014–2018 – Heart of Midlothian
2018–2022 – Brighton & Hove Albion

Senior career
2021– Brighton & Hove Albion – 2 games (0 goals)
2022–2023 → Northampton Town (loan) – 48 games (1 goals)
2023–2024 → Northampton Town (loan) – 49 games (5 goals)

Honours:
Northampton Town – EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2022–23

Individual
Northampton Town Player of the Year: 2023–24

International career
2017–2018 – Scotland U17 – 8 games (0 goals)
2018 – Scotland U18 – 2 games (0 goals)
2019 – Scotland U19 – 1 games (0 goals)
2021–2022 – Scotland U21 – 7 games (0 goals)

“It’s been an amazing two years with the success we had last season and then how well we’ve done in League One,” said Leonard, per Northampton Chronicle. “It’s difficult to sum it up in a few words but overall it’s been a huge success.

“I didn’t really know what to expect with it being my first loan. I knew it would be a culture shock but as soon as I got here I’ve absolutely loved it and it’s been unreal. Every day I can’t wait to get in and I can’t wait to train and I can’t wait for the games. The boys and the staff, everyone has been top, and that’s all you can ask for.

“I played a lot of games in my first season and winning promotion is the best feeling I’ve had in football. It was such a relief because we put in so much hard work for nine months and it was all worth it.

“The reception I got when I came back for the first home game will stay with me forever – it was such a good feeling. I just want to say thank you to the fans from the bottom of my heart. I couldn’t have asked for more from them. They have been amazing and it’s been overwhelming. I can’t thank them enough and I’ll always remember the Shoe Army!”

“It’s difficult to pick out one [highlight] because there’s a lot but I think one game that goes under the radar is Sutton away at the end of last season. We had barely anyone fit and it was a mental game from the start but the fans were incredible and we ended up winning and that put us on our way. It made us realise we could achieve anything and then the feeling when we won promotion at Tranmere was unreal.”

This is how fans reacted as eight EFL clubs battle it out for highly rated 22 year old with Brighton willing to let him go…

@Gary06634239: Fingers crossed he signs #bcfc

@StAndews1875: I hope he chooses us!! 🙏 #bcfc

@James131006912: Should be playing championship #ntfc

@cafc_luke_: get on it @CAFCofficial

@sussexbythesea4: Good luck to him

@D_Man59: Go play your football at Oxford young man, under the stewardship of Des Buckingham you’ll enjoy yourself 👍🏻

@Kane75243780: @burtonalbionfc what a time to use some 🤑

@JustinWalley10: £300k for this lad is a joke. He’s exceptional. A million pound+ player imho. #ntfc

@BillyFensterFen: At that price we should be all over it. Come on @swfc

@Adam_Page442: I mean if he went Birmingham I’d understand it, but seriously we should be all over this for that price!! Come on @ntfc

@Stuartjamess: Oxford it is then, only championship calibre club there.. #bcfc #oufc

@randellfan20: We need to get on this. 300k is well within our budget. #pafc

@LukeNigel_:
Perfect player profiles for us.
Vaulks = the experience player with proven quality.
Leonard = young player with bags of potential.
Building a good balance!
#Oufc

@Kieranbcfc2: Just get it done Blues. #bcfc

@JL90852: Would be a good signing for any championship club without parachute payments. Seems pointless selling for that low, must be a case of him refusing to sign a new deal and a little bit of money is obviously better than him leaving on a free.

@Ste_Whitfield: Big signing if Blues can get him.

@darrell_ben: 300k is absolute bargain for any league 1 or champ club. Should be all over this but can see him going championship easily

@craig_lovesey91: £300k is a steal. Come on Kelvin fuck the East stand off, we’ve managed so far, and bring him home. #ntfc

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