EXCLUSIVE By Pete O’Rourke

Wigan are in last-minute talks to sign Leeds United defender Tom Pearce after hijacking Barnsley’s move for the full-back, Football Insider understands.

Leeds are willing to let Pearce leave and had agreed a deal with Barnsley, but Wigan have moved to hijack the deal.

Pearce does not figure in Marcelo Bielsa’s plans going forward at Elland Road and they have been open to offers for the England Under-21 international.

Barnsley were in pole position to land Pearce, but now a source close to Leeds has told Football Insider that Wigan have made a late move to steal in for the defender’s signature.

Wigan boss Paul Cook is an admirer of Pearce and feels the left-back will prove a valuable addition to his squad.

21-year-old Pearce has made 10 appearances for Leeds and featured most recently earlier this year in the 2-1 FA Cup defeat to QPR.

However, it looks like his Leeds journey is coming to an end – the question is, which club will be his destination for the 19/20 season?

In other Leeds United news, Darren Bent claims Whites are chasing ‘Out-and-out goalscorer’ at PL giants.