Stoke City, Crystal Palace 'in battle for Kyle Bartley'

Stoke City and Crystal Palace will reportedly go head to head for the signature of Swansea City defender Kyle Bartley this summer.

The 26-year-old is about to enter the final year of his current deal in South Wales and is unlikely to force his way into the first-team picture next season, meaning that an exit from the Liberty Stadium this summer is likely.

According to The Sun, Palace view Bartley as a good candidate to replace Mamadou Sakho, who was on loan with the Eagles from Liverpool last summer but was priced out of a permanent move.

The newspaper claims that Mark Hughes's Stoke are also interested, while down in the Championship, Middlesbrough boss Garry Monk is keen on a deal, having had him on loan at Leeds United last season.

Bartley has made just 16 Premier League appearances for the Swans since his switch from Arsenal five years ago.