EXCLUSIVE By Pete O’Rourke

Everton defender Matthew Pennington has snubbed interest from other clubs to push through a deadline-day loan move to Leeds United, Football Insider sources understands.

Leeds are pushing to try and bring Pennington back to Elland Road before the transfer deadline at 5pm on Thursday and they have been boosted after being told that the defender favours a move back to the club ahead of other sides.

Championship rivals Blackburn and Wigan have expressed an interest in taking Pennington on loan, but a well-placed source has told Football Insider sources that Leeds are big favourites to land the 23-year-old.

Pennington made 24 appearances for Leeds during a season-long loan spell at Elland Road last season with the defender featuring at centre-back and right-back.

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa is keen to bolster his defensive options with Pontus Jansson, Liam Cooper and Conor Shaughnessy his only recognised centre-back options, with right-back Gaetano Berardi playing in central defence during last weekend’s win over Stoke.

If Leeds fail to land Pennington before Thursday’s deadline they are still expected to bring in the defender when the loan window opens to Football League clubs until the end of August.

In other Leeds United news, the club have opened talks over a deal to sign a Premier League midfielder for seven figures.