Leeds close to landing defender

Leeds United are reported to be in advanced talks over the proposed signing of left-back Stephen Warnock from Aston Villa. Leeds and Villa appear to be close to reaching a deal which will allow Warnock to take up an 18-month contract at Elland Road. An agreement has not yet been finalised but Villa are expected to sanction a free transfer in return for a switch which removes Warnock’s £40,000-a-week salary from their wage bill. Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United have also attempted to sign the defender but West Ham manager Sam Allardyce appeared to admit defeat today. Allardyce, who is thought to have offered Warnock a six-month deal, said: “[A transfer] was a goer yesterday but another club in the Championship have made him a more long-term offer and he’s decided to take it.”