Sheffield United’s Nick Montgomery is once again being linked with a move to Elland Road as Simon Grayson looks to add the finishing touches to his 2011/12 squad. 

Montgomery 29, has spent his entire career at Bramall Lane making 372 appearances for The Blades.

The Leeds-born midfielder has been linked with a move to Elland Road numerous times before, but following the relegation of Sheffield United at the end of last season, a move seems evermore likely as Blades manager Danny Wilson tries to balance his wage bill.

Simon Grayson is known to be a fan of the defensive midfielder and is believed to have made an approach last season, only for Montgomery to turn The Whites down in favour of an extended contract with Sheffield United.

Over the last 24 hours or so, the rumours have started up again with Sheffield United fans claiming the deal is almost complete and could go through in time for Leeds’ first game against Southampton on Saturday.

When the same rumour did the rounds earlier in the summer, it was claimed Leeds United were looking to part-exchange Billy Paynter to secure the services of Monty, but this now seems unlikely as Grayson will be missing both Davide Somma and Luciano Becchio for the start of the new campaign.

There’s definite logic to this deal taking place now rather than earlier in the summer. Sheffield United were believed to be asking for around £1m when Leeds made the initial approach, but as we get closer to the end of the transfer window with Montgomery still taking a hefty slice of Wilson’s wage-bill, that fee could have been dramatically reduced in The Blades desperation to offload.

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