Yorkshire Post
Blackwell starts United strengtheningMatt Reeder
VETERAN striker Brian Deane will be offered a one-year deal with Leeds United this weekend as manager Kevin Blackwell steps up his efforts to strengthen the Elland Road squad.
The 36-year-old will be given an opportunity to spend a second spell with his home-town club having impressed during a short trial spell on tour in Sweden; Craig Hignett and Steve Guppy could also earn similar deals next week.
Blackwell has already spoken of his desire to sign up four, possibly five, new faces before the start of the season and it appears the trio will form part of his plans for the coming campaign.
Just who will make up numbers four and five is likely to depend on the outcome of a board meeting yesterday which saw directors and chief operating officer Shaun Harvey discuss the size of budget available for the manager's re-structuring.
Somewhat in the dark while the money-men counted up their marbles and stacked up the finances, Blackwell has been waiting patiently for news on his Coca-Cola Championship war-chest.
Ideally he would like to have some ready cash to spend in the transfer market – especially if he still has an eye on luring young Burnley winger Richard Chaplow across the Pennines. A bid of £750,000, rising to £1.5m, has already been turned down by the Lancastrians and it is unclear whether United have the ability to up the offer. Indeed, it is not even clear whether they still have the ability to pay out such a sum as the realisation of life outside the Premiership dawns.
The wagebill may have been dramatically reduced this summer, through the sale of big-earners, but its current level of £18m is still the maximum chairman Gerald Krasner wants to pay and sacrifices may have to be made if the manager is to sign new players.
Of course, the situation could all change if Everton follow up their initial show of interest in Eirik Bakke. Goodison Park deputy chairman Bill Kenwright was understood to be thinking over the figures last night in the wake of Trevor Birch's departure, meaning manager David Moyes, desperate for a new summer signing after the snub from Robbie Savage, may yet make his move next week.
Bakke, who could command a decent transfer fee, has again stated his intention to stay with Leeds next season but he will be aware the decision on his future will be made at a much higher level.
His departure would not only herald an important injection of transfer funds but it would also relieve the club of another major salary as they look to reduce the running costs.
West Bromwich Albion duo Sean Gregan and Andy Johnson have been mentioned as possible replacements for the Norwegian international but Blackwell has not ruled out using the loan market for further additions.
While he is unlikely to embark on a mass recruitment drive from abroad like predecessor Peter Reid, he does see the benefit of bringing in quality players from the Premiership.
Arsenal's Jermaine Pennant proved a good acquisition last term but others, such as Roque Junior, did not last long.
"I don't think we want to go abroad and bring in six or seven players again, there are too many things that have to come right for them to work right," he said. "We would not rule out looking abroad, but we have to be a lot more selective in the future."
Deane, who has played for seven clubs in his 19-year career, scored 38 goals in 168 appearances for Leeds between 1993 and 1997 and managed to find the net in Wednesday's pre-season friendly against Bodens. He will again be a part of the side which takes on Piteas this afternoon in their second game of the tour.
Blackwell's job may not get any easier but at least he should finally know what finances he has to play with following yesterday's meeting.
Blackwell starts United strengtheningMatt Reeder
VETERAN striker Brian Deane will be offered a one-year deal with Leeds United this weekend as manager Kevin Blackwell steps up his efforts to strengthen the Elland Road squad.
The 36-year-old will be given an opportunity to spend a second spell with his home-town club having impressed during a short trial spell on tour in Sweden; Craig Hignett and Steve Guppy could also earn similar deals next week.
Blackwell has already spoken of his desire to sign up four, possibly five, new faces before the start of the season and it appears the trio will form part of his plans for the coming campaign.
Just who will make up numbers four and five is likely to depend on the outcome of a board meeting yesterday which saw directors and chief operating officer Shaun Harvey discuss the size of budget available for the manager's re-structuring.
Somewhat in the dark while the money-men counted up their marbles and stacked up the finances, Blackwell has been waiting patiently for news on his Coca-Cola Championship war-chest.
Ideally he would like to have some ready cash to spend in the transfer market – especially if he still has an eye on luring young Burnley winger Richard Chaplow across the Pennines. A bid of £750,000, rising to £1.5m, has already been turned down by the Lancastrians and it is unclear whether United have the ability to up the offer. Indeed, it is not even clear whether they still have the ability to pay out such a sum as the realisation of life outside the Premiership dawns.
The wagebill may have been dramatically reduced this summer, through the sale of big-earners, but its current level of £18m is still the maximum chairman Gerald Krasner wants to pay and sacrifices may have to be made if the manager is to sign new players.
Of course, the situation could all change if Everton follow up their initial show of interest in Eirik Bakke. Goodison Park deputy chairman Bill Kenwright was understood to be thinking over the figures last night in the wake of Trevor Birch's departure, meaning manager David Moyes, desperate for a new summer signing after the snub from Robbie Savage, may yet make his move next week.
Bakke, who could command a decent transfer fee, has again stated his intention to stay with Leeds next season but he will be aware the decision on his future will be made at a much higher level.
His departure would not only herald an important injection of transfer funds but it would also relieve the club of another major salary as they look to reduce the running costs.
West Bromwich Albion duo Sean Gregan and Andy Johnson have been mentioned as possible replacements for the Norwegian international but Blackwell has not ruled out using the loan market for further additions.
While he is unlikely to embark on a mass recruitment drive from abroad like predecessor Peter Reid, he does see the benefit of bringing in quality players from the Premiership.
Arsenal's Jermaine Pennant proved a good acquisition last term but others, such as Roque Junior, did not last long.
"I don't think we want to go abroad and bring in six or seven players again, there are too many things that have to come right for them to work right," he said. "We would not rule out looking abroad, but we have to be a lot more selective in the future."
Deane, who has played for seven clubs in his 19-year career, scored 38 goals in 168 appearances for Leeds between 1993 and 1997 and managed to find the net in Wednesday's pre-season friendly against Bodens. He will again be a part of the side which takes on Piteas this afternoon in their second game of the tour.
Blackwell's job may not get any easier but at least he should finally know what finances he has to play with following yesterday's meeting.