And we’re off! – Toon submit bids to Leeds and Sheffield United.
Posted on January 5th, 2010 | 241 Comments |
Despite the concerns that history would repeat itself and see the club dwell on their ‘attempts’ to bolster the squad, the club has moved swiftly to kick off inevitable negotiations. While The Journal quotes senior sources as “quietly confident”, an agreement on both is sure to take some time, particularly Beckford’s as Leeds hold out for a bidding war, with the striker’s rise in stock following his FA Cup winner against the mancs.
It appears the conclusion of the Kilgallon move may be more straightforward, as though manager Kevin Blackwell has repeatedly stated he wants him to stay, there have been enough comments ‘between the lines’ which suggest he has acknowledged it is more a case of when and not if. With his contract due to expire, it’s likely that Sheffield will just get the best price and look for a replacement.
Beckford is a slightly different prospect despite the circumstances apparently very similar from the outset, as both players have insisted they want a move away and both contracts are up in the summer. By the nature of the beast, Beckford as a striker, particularly one who’s profile has improved after the televised FA Cup game at the weekend, could be more difficult to capture.
It’s rumoured that Leeds now value him at around the £3m mark, which is more than twice what we originally proffered for the striker. However, Beckford has apparently suggested he will hand in a transfer request if Leeds show expected reluctance to let him go at a knockdown price. The Journal again quote a ‘source close to Beckford’:
“Leeds United have told Jermaine they will allow him to leave as soon as they get an acceptable bid from Newcastle.
“There is still a bit of work to be done in that respect, but they realise he wants to go and it is not beneficial to anyone to keep an unhappy player against his will.
“Jermaine wants to go and he has made that clear. Nobody wants to see the situation turn nasty between club and player so it should be resolved amicably in the end. Jermaine has given his all to Leeds but chances like this don’t come around very often.”
I think we can all agree it would be healthier all-round, assuming this is going to happen, that the clubs come to a mutual agreement on the price for Beckford. The deal for Kilgallon has presumably been ready to be sealed for some time, perhaps even as far back as the summer and the defender has indicated his desire to play for Newcastle.
So perhaps a doffing of the cap is in order, if we can push these deals through. Particularly if we have simultaneously conclude the parting of ways with the high-earning Geremi. It would seem as suggested there is some way to go, but if these rumours are true, it’s an encouraging start to the window.
NUFCBlog Author: bowburnmag
bowburnmag has written 234 articles on this blog.
Game of cat and mouse by all sides.
Leeds and Sheff Utd will know though that the sooner they get the deal done the more time they have to spend the money on replacements.
Who will blink first??