Birmingham City join Sheffield United in transfer race to sign Leeds United man Luke Ayling

Birmingham City have joined Sheffield United in the race to sign Leeds United defender Luke Ayling this summer, according to reports.

Ayling, 32, was signed by Leeds from Bristol City in 2016 and has since gone on to make over 200 appearances for the Whites - across the Championship, domestic cups and Premier League.

The versatile defender was loaned out to Middlesbrough back in January after falling out of favour for Daniel Farke and has started 18 games for Michael Carrick's side. Ayling has registered six assists in the second tier of English football since arriving at the Riverside Stadium and has now sparked the interest of several Championship clubs ahead of the summer window.

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His current deal at Elland Road is set to expire this summer and there is a growing list of suitors ready to sign him on a free transfer. According to The Sun, both Birmingham City and Sheffield United are eyeing a potential move for the experienced defender.

Relegation from the Premier League for Chris Wilder's side was confirmed following the 5-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday. The Blades are now making plans for their return to the Championship in the 2024/25 season and see Ayling as someone who can help fire them back to the top flight.

Meanwhile, their rivals for Ayling's signature are currently battling a relegation of their own. Blues currently occupy 22nd place in the Championship table and will struggle to convince Ayling to drop into League One if they do not avoid the bottom three.

Boro boss Carrick also commented on the future of Ayling earlier in April, where he said: “There’s always things you can do better and always things that you’re doing well. That’s just how it is. In my mind, he’s certainly not up on stage or the shop window in terms of judging him like that [with a future contract in mind].

"All of the players in that group at this moment are our players, whether they’re on loan or not, however long they have left on their contract or whatever it is. At this moment in time, he’s our player and we’ll definitely look to make the most of that."