Manchester United, City, Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham are all battling for Barnsley starlet James Bree

MANCHESTER CITY are leading the race to sign Barnsley defender James Bree.

The Etihad club, rivals United, Arsenal, Tottenham, West Ham and Southampton have been keeping an eye on the youngster.

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Bree, 19, is also a target for Championship club Aston Villa with Steve Bruce ready to table a £4million bid for the highly-rated right-back after watching him against Blackpool in the FA Cup.

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But City looks like the most likely destination for Bree as Barnsley do not want him to go to Villa Park.

Bree made his debut for the Tykes in 2014 and quickly gained the attention of top-flight clubs who sent scouts to monitor his progress.

Bruce wants to buy the talented defender and put him straight into his side as part of a major overhaul of the Championship outfit.

Villa will fork out big cash and also pay wages that would dwarf what the teenage is on at Oakwell, where they have been unable to tie him down to a new contract.

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Barnsley are under siege with interest in their players after a sensational last 12 months.

Skipper Conor Hourihane and striker Sam Winnall are wanted men.

And centre half Marc Roberts has West Brom and Burnley fighting over his services.

But he will not move unless bids reach around £5 million.