Post by QPR Report on Sept 3, 2009 7:24:46 GMT
(No mention of QPR)
Yorkshire Post
United: Becks still the main man
02 September 2009 By Phil Hay
Leeds United reached the end of the summer transfer window last night with leading goalscorer Jermaine Beckford intact and manager Simon Grayson insisting: "I never expected to lose him."
FIFA's 5pm deadline for permanent signings passed yesterday without a fresh or decisive offer for Beckford, and the closure of the window brought virtual confirmation that the 25-year-old will see out the rest of his contract at Elland Road.
English clubs will have the opportunity to bid for Beckford again when the winter transfer opens at the turn of the year, but Leeds are unlikely to be any more receptive to offers in January than they have been since removing the forward from the transfer list in July.
Beckford was made available for sale by United soon after the end of last season, prompting Sheffield United and Coventry City to submit unsuccessful bids for him, and both West Bromwich Albion and Bolton Wanderers were rumoured to be planning a last-minute move for the prolific striker.
Scouts from both clubs watched Leeds' match at Walsall last month but yesterday's transfer deadline brought speculation about Beckford's future to an immediate halt, supporting Grayson's long-held confidence that he would not be sold before his contract ends next summer.
Grayson said: "Whenever I was asked about Jermaine, I made the point that it wasn't our plan to sell him and that we had no intention of doing so before the window closed.
"He's a vital player, as he's shown in the past few weeks, and we weren't prepared to lose him at this stage. Obviously that might have changed if we'd received a silly offer from someone but I'd been given guarantees by (Leeds chairman) Ken Bates and (chief executive) Shaun Harvey that there was no pressure to sell Jermaine.
"I've got a very good relationship with them and they've been as good as their word. I've heard the speculation about Jermaine for several weeks now but I always knew that unless a ridiculous offer came in, there was no way he'd be going anywhere. I never expected that to happen."
Ensuring the retention of Beckford was one of United's priorities yesterday after the club completed the signing of Leigh Bromby from Sheffield United on a four-year deal.
United have taken the risk of losing Beckford on a free transfer next summer after allowing his contract to enter its final year, and a striker who scored 34 times last season has already notched five this term, his most recent coming in last weekend's 2-1 win at Colchester United.
The ex-Wealdstone player turned down the offer of a new three-year deal in May, leading to a short spell on the transfer list, but the club are still hopeful of negotiating an extension with him.
Grayson was prepared to gamble on Beckford's future in the hope that his goals will help Leeds win promotion to the Championship before the contract he agreed in October 2007 expires.
Bromby's was one of two incoming transfers finalised by Leeds on deadline day, with South African striker Davide Somma joining Leeds on a one-deal deal.
Somma – a former San Jose Earthquakes player – has been on trial with United for most of the summer, though complications with international clearance prevented him from playing in many of their pre-season friendlies, and the club have handed him 12-month terms while retaining an option to extend that deal by a further year.
Outgoing moves, meanwhile, were limited to Tom Lees' temporary switch to Accrington Stanley and Alan Sheehan's departure to Oldham Athletic on a one-month loan.
Despite Charlton Athletic's interest in Tresor Kandol, a transfer to The Valley did not materialise for the 28-year-old striker, who is likely to be made available when the Football League's emergency loan window opens in a week's time.
www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/leedsunited/Leeds-United-Becks-still-the.5608407.jp
Yorkshire Post
United: Becks still the main man
02 September 2009 By Phil Hay
Leeds United reached the end of the summer transfer window last night with leading goalscorer Jermaine Beckford intact and manager Simon Grayson insisting: "I never expected to lose him."
FIFA's 5pm deadline for permanent signings passed yesterday without a fresh or decisive offer for Beckford, and the closure of the window brought virtual confirmation that the 25-year-old will see out the rest of his contract at Elland Road.
English clubs will have the opportunity to bid for Beckford again when the winter transfer opens at the turn of the year, but Leeds are unlikely to be any more receptive to offers in January than they have been since removing the forward from the transfer list in July.
Beckford was made available for sale by United soon after the end of last season, prompting Sheffield United and Coventry City to submit unsuccessful bids for him, and both West Bromwich Albion and Bolton Wanderers were rumoured to be planning a last-minute move for the prolific striker.
Scouts from both clubs watched Leeds' match at Walsall last month but yesterday's transfer deadline brought speculation about Beckford's future to an immediate halt, supporting Grayson's long-held confidence that he would not be sold before his contract ends next summer.
Grayson said: "Whenever I was asked about Jermaine, I made the point that it wasn't our plan to sell him and that we had no intention of doing so before the window closed.
"He's a vital player, as he's shown in the past few weeks, and we weren't prepared to lose him at this stage. Obviously that might have changed if we'd received a silly offer from someone but I'd been given guarantees by (Leeds chairman) Ken Bates and (chief executive) Shaun Harvey that there was no pressure to sell Jermaine.
"I've got a very good relationship with them and they've been as good as their word. I've heard the speculation about Jermaine for several weeks now but I always knew that unless a ridiculous offer came in, there was no way he'd be going anywhere. I never expected that to happen."
Ensuring the retention of Beckford was one of United's priorities yesterday after the club completed the signing of Leigh Bromby from Sheffield United on a four-year deal.
United have taken the risk of losing Beckford on a free transfer next summer after allowing his contract to enter its final year, and a striker who scored 34 times last season has already notched five this term, his most recent coming in last weekend's 2-1 win at Colchester United.
The ex-Wealdstone player turned down the offer of a new three-year deal in May, leading to a short spell on the transfer list, but the club are still hopeful of negotiating an extension with him.
Grayson was prepared to gamble on Beckford's future in the hope that his goals will help Leeds win promotion to the Championship before the contract he agreed in October 2007 expires.
Bromby's was one of two incoming transfers finalised by Leeds on deadline day, with South African striker Davide Somma joining Leeds on a one-deal deal.
Somma – a former San Jose Earthquakes player – has been on trial with United for most of the summer, though complications with international clearance prevented him from playing in many of their pre-season friendlies, and the club have handed him 12-month terms while retaining an option to extend that deal by a further year.
Outgoing moves, meanwhile, were limited to Tom Lees' temporary switch to Accrington Stanley and Alan Sheehan's departure to Oldham Athletic on a one-month loan.
Despite Charlton Athletic's interest in Tresor Kandol, a transfer to The Valley did not materialise for the 28-year-old striker, who is likely to be made available when the Football League's emergency loan window opens in a week's time.
www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/leedsunited/Leeds-United-Becks-still-the.5608407.jp