Leeds Rumours Archive August 21 2013

21 Aug 2013 20:47:24
YEP report third bid for ross turned down. He's not going anywhere

Hang on in there Ross!

21 Aug 2013 17:07:30
Phil Hay seems to believe Ross McCormack & Leeds United are in discussions over a new contract. Now not only will this be a huge (but very welcome) middle finger to Middlesbrough, but also a even huger sign of ambition and intent by GFH. Would be like a 5th signing!

Agree totally, the board could really damage or enhance their rep with the fans depending how they handle this and what the outcome is.

It would be a huge statement of intent to enhance Ross's contract. However it could tie BMDs hands when all the talk has been of wage bills before any further signings.
Bring it on I say even if it is a contradiction.

Mmmm, Ross is 12 months in to a 3 year deal, i'm not too sure why we should give him a new deal?, he hasn't asked for a transfer and says he is happy, Leeds don't need to do anything but to keep rejecting bids until they reach £3M then get shut and buy another quality striker.

if we win promotion, then give Ross a new deal.all seems back to front to me.

I agree. Why give him a new deal. Chances are we will be promited in next 2 years and we could offer him less money, if he wants to play in prem

21 Aug 2013 16:45:30
Looks like Todor Nedelev rumour is dead in the water. Spurs are apparently looking to bring him over to England. Oh well must be more of these Gems out there!

I saw that rumour. But hey we saw him first ;) I don't think he's at Spurs level yet, more likely to join us first and then go to spurs.

This lad must be signed, valued at 1.3 million, we wasted that much on Murphy

21 Aug 2013 14:45:34
Leeds to sign Gary Mackay-Steven from Dundee United, Loan Billy Sharp from Southampton and keep Ross McCormack, good times ahead MOT!

Really do hope we sign this Gary Mackay-Steven, looks a gem.

Sharp will bag 20 goals.if he takes penalties.And you get 19 of them

Sharp would be good addition

Sharp won, t be coming here.

Sick to death of being linked to this "average player" EVERY window. ffs we don't want him and ain't getting him

21 Aug 2013 13:13:57
Matt Mills was unwilling to take a pay cut from his 25Kp/w wage to join Leeds United who's wage structure is unwilling to support anything that high: Brian in turn, has had his eye on Wootton for weeks and he was lined up to join as soon as a current Leeds player left, however with several other Championship clubs becoming interested in recent days, GFH had to push the transfer through before. Brian McDermott will now have to wait until 2 players leave before bringing in a much needed winger, with Aiden White subject of interest from both Celtic and Blackpool (the latter of which thought to have lodged a bid for the 'versatile' Irishman).
This is mainly an opinion and I am not claiming to be ITK, however it fits with rumours and news articles alike and seems reasonable!

Good shout
Def need to get some players off the books quickish
Need a winger and if ross ends up going a striker too
Fair play to gfh though, they are doing the best they can for mcd. As mcd says, everyone pulling in tve right direction just takes time. You got to like his buys. I can see he has long term in mind. Alls good at moment. Could be tough week of games though

Why sell a winger just to bring another in? david norris and danny pugh need getting rid of asap.

Not sure I would call Aidy 'versatile' unless being able to run fast in a number of different directions counts.

Hence the reason the word versatile is in quotation marks! He has played in so many positions but hasn't excelled at one!

21 Aug 2013 11:31:57
Apparently Leeds are in talks with Bradford to sign Nahki Wells for an undisclosed fee (Thought to be around 800k).
Source: tv

Id say 1.5-2 mil if he do go from there.

21 Aug 2013 10:37:05
Just seen on tv that Norwich are closing in on a bid for elmander who used to play for Bolton, doesn't it just make you feel abit better inside as becchio gets pushed down the pecking order

Not really, the guy loves Leeds, he went because he had to think about securing a future for his family and couldn't do that with Leeds. Would welcome him back anyday

I think it would be great to get him back on loan with greedy Norwich paying his wage, both Beccio and Leeds would benefit and Norwich would lose out :o)

Not really no. Why should someone/anyone not want to earn more money and play for ( currently ) a better team? Mad not to

What makes you think elmander would start ahead of becchio? there is your answer u don't think.

Leave the guy alone, he was a bloody hero when he put the white shirt on, he did what he thought was right, + I think warnock gave him the push

Becchio were a good servant to this club, he made a mistake leaving, but i'd be happy if we get him back soon.

Alan smith was a hero too. Another apparently 'pushed' out. Both of them agreed to sign for other clubs. I say let him rot at Norwich

'Like an ex wife. you can only recall the good times'. He went because he was off the pace, couldn't play 90mins and lost his touch. Great memories but don't you dare bring him back

Great player who will never come back 2 leeds so quit dreaming

Agree move on Becchio will regret going to Budgies in football terms but it is his last pay day

21 Aug 2013 08:38:45
From what I've heard Leeds are currently struggling to get interest for Diouf! The main point being not many clubs want to pay his excessive wages, Leeds have already agreed to sign matt Taylor but the owners don't want to confirm the deal until equal wages have left the club! We could be waiting for an exit before an income, there has been strong links to McCormack being the player to go to bring wages down I personally hope this isn't true but he would be easier to sell than Diouf!

Not really sure what to make of this? We signed Wootton yesterday, so if we needed to have players leave before anyone coming in, surely that would have applied here too?

It has been well documented that Diouf is on comparatively lower wages than a lot of the first team squad.

It was also reported a few weeks ago that BMD had the go-ahead to sign 2 players.

I think Greer was top of the list but when that fell thorugh Wootton was the next option.

So I would expect to see 1 more, then the clear out will start. let's not forget, in the CC we can still deal after the transfer window has shut.

DS

I would expect Danny Pugh (one of the unnecessarily high earners in the squad) to be shipped out ASAP. Unfortunately, he'd likely be taking a pay cut going anywhere else so there's no real incentive for him to leave.
To be honest, I think the best plan here might be to sell McCormack for 2.5 mill to get cash for paying players out of their contracts, get in some loan signings and see what the market's like in January. Not a great plan but better than continuing to pay top whack for dross who won't feature.
CityWhite

Can't imgine that Diouf's wage demands would be an issue. Firstly, a club would need to make an approach beforehis demands would be discussed, secondly it has been quite openly discussed that his wages are not important to him. He played for peanuts at Doncaster, and again with us to start with. His loyalty and form earned him a better salary.

Chances are that at least a couple of players will go before the transfer window, so the GFH policy isn't really one to worry about. I wouldn't be surprised if a few contracts are cancelled by mutual consent once certain players don't go for a fee. They've proven they aren't afraid to spend for talent, but the wage bill is obviously an issue.

To Reply #4, if we got rid of ross for 2.5mil and bought out players contracts, wouldn't that leave us paying the same money out (just all at once) but also a striker down and the money for their wages immediately taken out of the coffers instead of monthly? It would be preferable to at least keep them around (and keep Ross) until (hopefully) a club is interested. That way negotiations can take place with regards to outstanding wages on the contract. That's how I see it anyway.

Can, t see us bein intrested in matt taylor, B mac said it himself few weeks ago when it it were rumoured to be happening.

The problem is the current wage bill (which is the majority slice of Leeds operating cost).
Keeping those players around seems to be what's preventing us signing better.
Fairly sure we could get in some decent loan signings at much less than we're paying the dross. So, we'd be a Ross down and not much to show for it other than a nice big chunk of play-room in the wage budget. Alternative of having those players hanging around doing nowt will only further harm their saleability (which is already zero). Unlikely they'll agree to anything other than full contract worth to terminate.
Personally, I think having players who will never play again for the club earning good money (more than a lot of the current squad) can only breed resentment in the dressing room, as in the case of Kaka.
Might seem an extreme idea where we gain little but, sometimes you have to use what little cash you have to clean house.
CityWhite

There has not been 'strong links' that we're try to offload RM to reduce wages. we've just turned down 3 offers for him!

BM has publically stated he wants to keep Diouf (who has also stated he wants to stay)

BM has also said that we have not made a move for Matt Taylor. All in all the op is highly unlikely to be true