Leeds Today
United step up striker search
by Phil Hay
Leeds United pulled out of a move for Liam Lawrence after the Mansfield striker missed the club's deadline to accept a switch to Elland Road.
United had asked the 22-year-old to confirm his decision before the end of the week, but Lawrence failed to meet their demands and the club withdrew their interest last night.
The deal is believed to be dead and Leeds are not intending to return to the forward, who now looks likely to seal a switch to United's Coca-Cola Championship rivals Sunderland.
Lawrence had spoken to both clubs and is understood to have favoured the offer from Leeds, but yesterday's announcement has opened the way for the Black Cats to complete the signing.
The striker – scorer of 23 goals in Division Three last season – is out of contract at Mansfield but will command a fee due to his age.
Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell is now assessing other options after a difficult week in the transfer
market.
Blackwell agreed the signings of Paul Butler and Julian Joachim but decided not to follow up approaches to goalkeeper Paul Gerrard and striker David Graham, while Barry Hayles was also ruled out as an option up front.
But Blackwell's efforts are set to be aided by the departure of Dominic Matteo, who is making progress on a transfer to Blackburn after hitting problems this week.
Rovers were struggling to match Matteo's current salary, but the Lancashire club have moved closer to a deal following fresh discussions with the player's agent and the deal could be completed within the next seven days.
Michael Duberry, Mark Viduka and Danny Mills are also attempting to finalise exits from Elland Road, but chairman Gerald Krasner admitted the exodus will end once United's highest earners depart.
"We have in our minds a definite number we want to go, and after that it will stop," he said.
United step up striker search
by Phil Hay
Leeds United pulled out of a move for Liam Lawrence after the Mansfield striker missed the club's deadline to accept a switch to Elland Road.
United had asked the 22-year-old to confirm his decision before the end of the week, but Lawrence failed to meet their demands and the club withdrew their interest last night.
The deal is believed to be dead and Leeds are not intending to return to the forward, who now looks likely to seal a switch to United's Coca-Cola Championship rivals Sunderland.
Lawrence had spoken to both clubs and is understood to have favoured the offer from Leeds, but yesterday's announcement has opened the way for the Black Cats to complete the signing.
The striker – scorer of 23 goals in Division Three last season – is out of contract at Mansfield but will command a fee due to his age.
Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell is now assessing other options after a difficult week in the transfer
market.
Blackwell agreed the signings of Paul Butler and Julian Joachim but decided not to follow up approaches to goalkeeper Paul Gerrard and striker David Graham, while Barry Hayles was also ruled out as an option up front.
But Blackwell's efforts are set to be aided by the departure of Dominic Matteo, who is making progress on a transfer to Blackburn after hitting problems this week.
Rovers were struggling to match Matteo's current salary, but the Lancashire club have moved closer to a deal following fresh discussions with the player's agent and the deal could be completed within the next seven days.
Michael Duberry, Mark Viduka and Danny Mills are also attempting to finalise exits from Elland Road, but chairman Gerald Krasner admitted the exodus will end once United's highest earners depart.
"We have in our minds a definite number we want to go, and after that it will stop," he said.
