Clarets call Leeds bluff over deal for Chaplow: "Clarets call Leeds bluff over deal for Chaplow
BURNLEY have called Leeds' bluff by turning down over £1m for midfield star Richard Chaplow.
I can reveal that, contrary to earlier reports, United's second attempt at luring the England U21 ace to Elland Road included several add-ons to the £500,000 bid, which would have eventually landed the cash-strapped Clarets a windfall in excess of seven-figures.
That protracted offer winged its way to Turf Moor late last week after an initial £250,000 bid for the highly-rated midfielder was rejected out of hand by Burnley chairman Barry Kilby.
He is determined to keep hold onto Chaplow, even offering the 19-year-old protege a new, improved contract despite two years remaining on his present deal.
And Kilby, who insists no more star players need to be sold to ensure financial stability, appears to have won the fight after Chaplow's agent, former Burnley defender Gordon Armstrong, today revealed Leeds' were unlikely to launch another offensive.
Armstrong insisted: 'Leeds' improved offer was very much take-it-or-leave-it.
'They made that perfectly clear when they tabled the offer, but it was instantly turned down so now it's just a matter of waiting to see what happens next.
'Burnley have their own valuation of Richard and clearly it has not been met, so my understanding is that a deal is now dead unless Leeds change their minds.'
The news will come as a huge relief to Clarets boss Steve Cotterill, who is in the process of trying to build a side - not see one of his shining stars cherry-picked by a big city First Division rival.
Leeds have already snapped up eight players this summer despite massive debts after selling off many of their stars.
Winger Jermaine Wright has joined from Ipswich along with former Luton midfielder Matthew Spring, Clarke Carlisle (QPR), Paul Butler (Wolves), Julian Joachim (Coventry), Michael Ricketts (Middlesbrough), Danny Pugh (Manchester United) and Danny Cadamarteri (Bradford).
BURNLEY have called Leeds' bluff by turning down over £1m for midfield star Richard Chaplow.
I can reveal that, contrary to earlier reports, United's second attempt at luring the England U21 ace to Elland Road included several add-ons to the £500,000 bid, which would have eventually landed the cash-strapped Clarets a windfall in excess of seven-figures.
That protracted offer winged its way to Turf Moor late last week after an initial £250,000 bid for the highly-rated midfielder was rejected out of hand by Burnley chairman Barry Kilby.
He is determined to keep hold onto Chaplow, even offering the 19-year-old protege a new, improved contract despite two years remaining on his present deal.
And Kilby, who insists no more star players need to be sold to ensure financial stability, appears to have won the fight after Chaplow's agent, former Burnley defender Gordon Armstrong, today revealed Leeds' were unlikely to launch another offensive.
Armstrong insisted: 'Leeds' improved offer was very much take-it-or-leave-it.
'They made that perfectly clear when they tabled the offer, but it was instantly turned down so now it's just a matter of waiting to see what happens next.
'Burnley have their own valuation of Richard and clearly it has not been met, so my understanding is that a deal is now dead unless Leeds change their minds.'
The news will come as a huge relief to Clarets boss Steve Cotterill, who is in the process of trying to build a side - not see one of his shining stars cherry-picked by a big city First Division rival.
Leeds have already snapped up eight players this summer despite massive debts after selling off many of their stars.
Winger Jermaine Wright has joined from Ipswich along with former Luton midfielder Matthew Spring, Clarke Carlisle (QPR), Paul Butler (Wolves), Julian Joachim (Coventry), Michael Ricketts (Middlesbrough), Danny Pugh (Manchester United) and Danny Cadamarteri (Bradford).