Leeds United News & Rumour Mill

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Sheikh hints at Leeds bid

A wealthy Dubai-based businessman has revealed he is considering making a bid for fallen giants Leeds United.

The Whites are set to start life in League One next term after slipping out of the Championship last season.

Ken Bates put the club into the hands of the administrators prior to their final game of the campaign, a move which ensured they will not start next season with a 10-point penalty.

Bates has also proposed a buyback and this has been accepted by the club's administrators, but requires approval from their creditors.

The deal is far from cut and dried as a number of other potential investors have expressed interest including Leeds-based property tycoon Simon Morris, former West Ham chairman Terry Brown and a consortium led by former Leeds manager Don Revie's son Duncan.

And now Sheikh Samir Mirdad, head of the Dubai-based Linx Group of Companies, is contemplating putting in a bid.

"Leeds United is a very prestigious football club that has unfortunately in the recent past suffered setbacks. My vision is to bring the club back to its former glory," Sheikh Mirdad told Khaleej Times.

"The club has a huge fan base and because of the history of the club and desire of the people of Leeds to see Leeds United back in top flight Premiership football, we think this may be the ideal challenge for us.

"I am very passionate about football, and I want to help a lot of other people who share this passion.

"There's a lot of potential for the club."

Leeds have offered new deals to promising youngsters Ben Parker, Gavin Rothery and Scott Gardner, while a first professional contract has been put before young striker Tomi Ameobi.

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Doncaster in Sullivan deal talks

Veteran goalkeeper Neil Sullivan will resume talks over a proposed move from Leeds United to Doncaster Rovers next week.

The former Scottish international was released as part of a summer clear-out at Elland Road but Rovers are keen to secure his services after two spells on loan at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Sullivan returns for medical examinations on May 31 and June 5 at which stage Rovers will look to agree terms on a two-year deal.

Manager Sean O'Driscoll says Sullivan, can not only help the club push for promotion but also help the development of the club's highly-rated youngster Ben Smith.

"Having a strong goalkeeper is one of the cornerstones of being a successful side and Neil fits the bill," said O'Driscoll. "He has been first class in his time with us. He is a great presence in the dressing room and has an open mind on how to do things."

At 36, Sullivan is in the twlight of his career although goalkeepers commonly play on longer than outfield players.

O'Driscoll is keen not to stifle Smith's ambitions but says: "It would be a nice scenario to have. They both get on and Neil knows how good Ben can be."

Source: yorkshirepost.co.uk

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Leeds Defender Set To Leave?

Donny Rovers have confirmed that they are interested in taking Sam Hird to the Keepmoat Stadium for next season. Hird, who spent 3 months on loan to Doncaster certainly made an impact with the Rovers management and the out of contract stopper may return to link up with goalkeeper Neil Sullivan, who is widely expected to also return to the club that gave him first team football this season.

Sam Hird is a player who is a Doncaster boy,' O'Kelly told the club's official website.

He came into the football club and ticked a lot of the boxes, as we hoped he would.

He is a Leeds United player until July 31, as is Neil Sullivan, so we will have to see how it goes with those two. "

Source: leeds.vitalfootball.co.uk

[Mighty T.A.L.]

All but 4 of the 36 Leeds United players currently on the books have agreed to a wage deferral to secure the financial future of the club.

Radio Leeds broke the news today that KPMG, the administrators dealing with Leeds, have liaised with the PFA and the Football League to come up with a wage deferral package.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Wise identifies targets

Leeds United boss Dennis Wise is busy identifying new players to rebuild his squad despite the cash-strapped club still being in administration.

Three parties - including current chairman Ken Bates - are believed to be vying for control of the League One-bound club, but Wise is focusing on footballing matters as he seeks to build a side capable of winning an instant return to the Championship.

Wise has already released six players and has spent the period since their relegation was confirmed on the lookout for replacements.

"We've done the pre-season fixtures now and put those in place, and Dennis, Gus (Poyet) and I have been looking at players," technical director Gwyn Williams told the club's official website.

"It's difficult because we're in administration and therefore we have to wait, but we've been doing a lot, particularly during the latter part of last season because we knew we had a number of players whose contracts were coming to an end.

"We've been looking at replacements, making enquiries, and are looking at what we can and can't do.

"We've been laying the foundations and getting things ready."

Source: football.co.uk

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Leeds United Striker Set For Exit?

Leeds United striker Richard Cresswell may be the latest Whites player to leave Elland Road this summer, with the crisp munchers of Leicester the interested party.

Leicester, who have just announced that former MK Dons manager Martin Allen will take charge with immediate effect are undergoing a restructuring program under Milan Mandaric, who is believed to be an admirer of Cresswell`s talents. The 29 year old forward played 8 games for Leicester in the 2000-2001 season, scoring no goals. Cresswell joined Leeds in 2005, but injury has restricted him to 41 games and just 11 goals in all competitions.

Source: leeds.vitalfootball.co.uk

[alansmithy14]

Leeds United deserved to go to League 1 they waisted all that money on players and most of them didnt even play well!!

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Leeds need a new owner(s) and a new board.They need real good business men.They have throw away a lof of money in every season for many years.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Leeds track keeper Coyne

Leeds United are lining up a move for former Burnley goalkeeper Danny Coyne.

The Wales international was released by Clarets boss Steve Cotterill at the end of the season, along with Graham Branch, Frank Sinclair and John McGreal, while Garreth O'Connor was placed on the transfer list.

Coyne has already been linked with rivals Norwich City, Ipswich Town and Cardiff City.

And the 33-year-old, who played 45 minutes in his country's 2-2 draw with New Zealand at the Racecourse on Saturday, said he was keen to remain in the Championship.

"I'll move anywhere if the club is right for me," he said.

"There's speculation about a few clubs, but there's nothing definite at the minute.

"It's quite exciting really, so I'm looking forward to finding a new club and starting afresh.

"It gives you that extra bit of hunger again to get back playing and prove quite a few people wrong.

"I want to continue to play in the Championship but I'll wait and see what happens over the summer."

However, Wise, who has released former Scotland international goalkeeper Neil Sullivan, will have to bide his time in any pursuit of ex Tranmere and Grimsby keeper Coyne, until Leeds are cleared to sign new players.

The Elland Road outfit, who were relegated to League One on the final day of the season, are currently banned from the transfer market after going into administration.

Source: lancashiretelegraph.co.uk

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Flo Wait

Tore Andre Flo will delay any immediate decision on his future while his fight against a foot injury continues.

Flo looks increasingly likely to be offered a new deal at Elland Road despite the club's relegation from the Championship, but the former Norwegian international is still recovering from the fractured foot he suffered four months ago.

Flo was sidelined after just two appearances following his move to during the January transfer window, and weeks of rehabilitation failed to prevent a premature end to his season.

A clause in Flo's short-term deal, which expires next month, was expected to see him leave Elland Road this summer, but he is one of three senior out-of-contract players in Dennis Wise's squad who have not been officially released.

His agent, Gunnar Martin Kjenner, said: "He's still struggling with this injury at the moment and until he's fit, we can't make any decision on his future."

Wise is also waiting to decide on the futures of Matt Heath and Manuel Rui Marques, who are reaching the end of their deals.

Both players are expected to be offered new terms once Leeds exit administration, but Marques is understood to be attracting the interest of a German Bundesliga team.

Source: leedsutd-mad.co.uk

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Bates claims investor interest

Ken Bates has claimed that a host of investors are ready to step up their interest in Leeds United if his deal to repurchase the club is given the green light by creditors.

Bates immediately launched a new bid to buy back the club when Leeds were plunged into administration before the final game of the season, but the deal must still be ratified when a Compulsory Voluntary Agreement is voted on on Friday.

Leeds-based property magnate Simon Morris has made a rival bid however, with son of former manager Don Revie, Duncan Revie, also pondering a possible offer.

The possibility remains that Bates' bid will not be favoured, and the club chairman has now warned that potentially lucrative investment will dissipate if such a scenario occurs.

"We have six serious would-be investors or investor groups whom you have never read or heard about," Bates told the Yorkshire Post.

"They want to come in once Friday is out of the way. What will be disastrous is if these people who I call spoilers, manage to do so.

"One (of the would-be investors) is a huge American group who have just completed a huge takeover successfully. I will not discuss their identity, but it is all very encouraging.

"Serious investors don't talk to newspapers. They don't go through the newspapers.

"I won't mention names, but when you read 'I am going to do this and that' you can usually take it for granted that they are enjoying their two-bob's worth of glory and then they will fade away.

"When a deal is done, it will be announced."

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Wise Wants Pay Cut

Dennis Wise offered to take a pay cut at Leeds following their relegation.

The former Chelsea player failed to keep the Whites in the Championship last season after taking over from Kevin Blackwell and he offered to operate on a reduced salary.

Leeds have been forced to make a number of redundancies following relegation but are expected to be taken out of administration when creditors agree at a meeting today for Ken Bates to buy the club back.

Bates told the Daily Mirror: "Dennis Wise has volunteered to take a pay cut, which I think must be a first in the history of football. He is leading by example."

Wise has been suspended from making signings until Leeds come out of administration and Bates added: "Other clubs have been able to sign players since May 7 and, in fact, some players we wanted have already been signed.

"But Dennis has had a lot of discussions with players. I have now sent Dennis and Gus Poyet away on holiday and by the time we'll be able to trade again, they will be back."

Source: leedsutd-mad.co.uk

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Leeds heading for courts

The battle for control of Leeds is expected to be resolved in court, it was revealed at a stormy creditors' meeting at Elland Road on Friday.

Creditors voted by the slimmest of margins to accept Ken Bates' offer to buy back the club, but it was so close administrators KPMG were forced to abandon the meeting and call for a recount on Monday morning.

Some creditors argued Bates' offer to pay back money owed by Leeds was not the best on the table and claimed other parties interested in buying the club had not been given a fair chance.

Bates, who placed Leeds in administration with debts of £35million on May 4, requires 75% of the vote to have his offer of 1p in the pound accepted by creditors and the original count showed he had 75.02%.

KPMG released the following statement: "The creditors' meeting has been adjourned without a conclusion being reached due to the first count of the creditors' votes on the creditors' voluntary agreement (CVA) proposal producing a very close result.

"This means administrators KPMG wish to recount. The meeting will be reconvened on Monday, June 4, at 10am at Elland Road for the results to be provided."

It is understood Bates faces opposition from five different consortia, with some now considering legal action should Bates emerge victorious.

KPMG have refused to identify the five would-be investors ahead of the company voluntary arrangement (CVA) meeting.

Source: tribalfootball.com

[Mighty T.A.L.]

David Healy is now being linked to Hull City.I'm pretty sure he will leave Leeds this summer.