Sheffield United Join Celtic In Marc Leonard Pursuit After Tynecastle Scout

Sheffield United have joined Celtic in the race for marc leonard after Chris Wilder watched him at Tynecastle during Hearts' 2-1 win over Rangers. The 23-year-old midfielder is already on Hearts' radar for a permanent move, but interest from Scotland and England now points to a sharper fight for his future.

Tynecastle Watch

Wilder was at Tynecastle on bank holiday Monday as Leonard helped Hearts take a 2-1 win against Rangers. That sighting put Sheffield United directly into the conversation around a player who has already impressed during his loan spell from Birmingham City.

Leonard joined Hearts in January and has done enough to draw fresh attention before the summer transfer window opens. Celtic are accelerating their plans as they look to strengthen midfield, and Sheffield United's entry adds another club trying to map out what comes next for the 23-year-old.

Hearts And Birmingham

Hearts are planning talks to sign Leonard permanently from Birmingham City at the end of the season. That sits alongside the more immediate fact that he is due to leave Hearts and return to Birmingham, which is why outside interest has become so relevant now.

He did not get the chance to prove himself at Championship level with Birmingham, but the interest from Sheffield United points to a possible return to that division if the move becomes realistic. The competition for him now spans both sides of the border, with Celtic and Sheffield United watching the same player for different reasons.

Summer Transfer Window

The next move sits with the talks Hearts want to hold and with the clubs weighing whether Leonard's form at Tynecastle justifies a bid. Wilder's presence at the Rangers game showed Sheffield United are not watching from a distance, and that makes Leonard one of the more closely tracked midfield options before the window opens.