(Edit added after interview) BF: Now this morning a story was put on LeedsUnited.com confirming that the club have accepted an offer for Jonny Howson from Norwich with the player having just six months left on his contract and stated a desire to play in the Premier League at the earliest possible opportunity. Discussions continue over personal terms and Norwich. Now I know youâre not going to comment on the Jonny Howson story at the moment but there are other stories in the media this week, linking players with moves away from Elland Road. Are these stories an unwanted distraction at this stage? (end of edit) KB: Well yes of course it is. I mean we canât stop speculation. A lot of the problems you have these days are agents who leak stories to the press, for two reasons; obviously to stimulate interest in their players and to try to see if thereâs more than one club that are going to be interested in a player i.e get an auction going on terms. Weâre making a note of those agents and also making a note not to deal with them in the future, unless absolutely necessary because if you canât trust them, you canât do business with them. But we are active behind the scenes. Weâve already signed Danny Pugh, weâve already extended Maik Taylorâs contract, weâve signed young Townsend from Tottenham so thatâs three. Weâve agreed terms with one of our young players and weâll announce that as soon as itâs signed⦠heâs signed rather. There are other discussions going on but as usual, we talk about what we have done, not what we are going to do.
Is he suggesting that this is not really a story and that it is just an agent doing their job? Also we have signed Danny Pugh (zzzzzz), Maik Taylor (ancient) and Townsend (loan)...LET'S CELEBRATE SUCH GREAT BUSINESS FROM GOOD OLD BATES.
"It's a dream come true just playing for the club, never mind captaining them,"Leeds skipper Jonny Howson told TEAMtalk back in November. And on the subject of contract talks, he added: "I'm sure they'll be finalised and I'll sign soon."
Ken Bates has hinted that Leeds United will be attempting to offload some fringe players when the January transfer window opens, to give themselves room for maneouvre on the incoming front next month. He said: “We have a very large squad by even Premiership standards. We always used to say two players for every position and an extra one for the goalkeeper. That’s 23 – now we have 28, 29. “Some of those aren’t featuring at all. It must be frustrating for them, a waste of money for us and it blocks other people coming in.”
Roll up, roll up. Its the Elland road january sales. Howson a young up and coming England international ay takers ahhh Norwich how much, deal. Next Irish u21 international followed by a full international Scottish International for sale. Please will all bidders pay by cash in to an offshore acount please. If you miss out don't worry, we will have another sale in May. Thank you for your buisness. Can Mr Bates please go back to Chelski (PLEASE)
Elland Jonny said that on Takeitlikeafan, Bates is trying to fob us off with claiming MAIK TAYLOR is a signing!!!!!!!!
What Bates has said doesn't make sense, how is it speculation when a bid has been accepted and the OS has actually stated this. Was the interview carried out before the OS statement? on the up side our young keeper as signed for 2 years. Gives him time to get noticed and sold on by Bates!
Yes lets get excited a loan Keeper has extended his stay with us despite being back-up and never having played and even more excited that our young reserve Keeper has signed a two year extension another who probably will never get to play for us that often. Surely even Bates can't believe he can milk this one??
