Crystal Palace boss Dougie Freedman has emerged as one of Leeds United's top targets, Sky Sports understands.

Bates impressed with Palace boss

Target

Crystal Palace boss Dougie Freedman has emerged as one of Leeds United's top targets,understands. Leeds chief Ken Bates has had a plethora of applications since sacking Simon Grayson last month, and he is considering his options carefully. Bates is believed to be wanting a young manager who can work well with the club's outstanding youth system. That has seen his sights turn to Freedman, who is a cult figure at Elland Road despite only a loan spell with the club during his playing days. Freedman played for Leeds on-loan in 2008, helping them to the play-off finals before losing to Doncaster.Now after emerging as one of the best young managers in British football, Freedman is set to become a target for Leeds again. Freedman became Palace boss on New Year's Day 2011 and guided them to safety in the final few months of the season, and he has continued to build on that success. Palace have now opened talks over a new deal for Freedman, who as well as mounting a promotion push this term led them to the Carling Cup semi-finals. Bates, though, could be ready to try and prise Freedman away and offer him the chance to succeed Grayson with the West Yorkshire giants.