LEEDS United may face competition for signing attacking midfielder Alexandru Maxim ahead of their Championship teatime derby at Barnsley tomorrow.

It is believed Mexican side Club America area also interested in recruiting the 26-year-old from Stuttgart, who is contracted there until 2019 but has been told that he can leave.

It is understood that the player has already had preliminary talks with Leeds manager Garry Monk.

A natural playmaker, Maxim can cover the wide and No 10 roles – which will be useful assets as Leeds, who have won six of their last seven matches, seek a return to the Premier League.

With only two recognised wingers in their squad in Stuart Dallas and Hadi Sacko, United have little cover, either out wide or for Pablo Hernandez.

Maxim would solve those problems, meaning that Monk has less need for playing Souleymane Doukara and Kemar Roofe out of position.

Perhaps crucially, United assistant manager Pep Clotet knows Maxim from their time together at La Liga side Espanyol.

Third-placed Leeds are expected to include left back Tyler Denton in place of Gaetano Berardi against the tenth-placed Tykes, while, Lewie Coyle should partner the experienced Kyle Bartley at the heart of defence with Pontus Jansson suspended.

The duo should be protected by Liam Bridcutt and the energetic Ronaldo Vieira in midfield, while the hard-working Luke Ayling is expected to be at right back.

Winger Hernandez should be helped out by Doukara and Roofe going forward, with the spearhead being 14-goal New Zealand international striker Chris Wood.

The whites will be looking to secure their third consecutive Championship clean sheet as they aim to close a six-point gap on the automatic places.

Barnsley, who lost Sam Winnall to Sheffield Wednesday early in the January window, have won just one of their last five but Monk said: "We must take our confidence and good form into what'll be a tough derby at Barnsley."