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United wary of January salesLEEDS UNITED fear the transfer window could prove a testing time with Kevin Blackwell attempting to hold on to his best players – including joint top scorer David Healy who joined just over two months ago.
Richard Sutcliffe
Scott Carson, already the subject of two bids from West Brom, has not responded to United's second contract offer. The teenager was left out of the reserve side to face Middlesbrough on Wednesday amid speculation Liverpool are set to make a move.
Carson failed to respond to last week's improved contract offer from United and manager Blackwell confirmed last night: "Scott was not injured, I chose not to play him in the reserves.
"There has been a lot of speculation about Scott and we daren't risk him because of that. I badly want Scott to stay, but if he is to leave I would not want to jeopardise any possible move by him getting injured."
Aaron Lennon has also been the subject of a speculative bid from an unnamed Premiership club while the impressive form of Healy and Simon Walton has sparked interest from several clubs.
Healy arrived at Leeds in late October and has scored six goals in 14 outings, making him the club's joint top scorer in the Championship with Brian Deane. United spokesman Bryan Morris said: "We want to keep the team intact because results are going well. People like Aaron are the future of the club. We can't sell our future - if we sold someone like Aaron we might as well pack in. We heard about the bid through Aaron's agent, but we turned it down immediately.
"Obviously, if someone came along with a huge bid of £2m to £3m for one of our players then it would be a different story and we would have to look at it. We would have to act in the best interests of Leeds United."
Blackwell has been able to bring in Leandre Griffit on loan with the Southampton winger able to play in tomorrow's FA Cup tie at Birmingham City.
Morris added: "The transfer window will undoubtedly hold a challenging time for Leeds United. Kevin Blackwell is doing a fantastic job in creating what is fast becoming a winning team. The board is keen to continue supporting Kevin and our aspiration is to keep the current team intact.
"Any offer that is made will have to be considered on its individual merits. An outstanding offer from a Premiership club would be good news for one of our highly-rated players and we would have to decide if a deal would also have a mutual benefit for the club.
"I would like to see our strong team unchanged, but it could ultimately prove damaging to the club if we did not weigh up the positive aspects that any deal could hold and act upon that accordingly.
"Like our loyal fans, we want what is best for Leeds United. The recent wins have been fantastic and we are doing everything in our power to ensure this continues."
Talks have resumed after the Christmas holidays with Norman Stubbs over a proposed investment in the club and Sebastien Sainsbury's consortium with regards a £25m takeover.
Chairman Gerald Krasner said: "We had a meeting with one of the parties on Tuesday and another is due to take place today. There will clearly be no news this week but the matter is moving forward."
After asking the Inland Revenue for time to pay an outstanding bill last month, United are believed to be facing a number of payments to former players this month. But Krasner added: "Those are sorted out and everything is okay."
United wary of January salesLEEDS UNITED fear the transfer window could prove a testing time with Kevin Blackwell attempting to hold on to his best players – including joint top scorer David Healy who joined just over two months ago.
Richard Sutcliffe
Scott Carson, already the subject of two bids from West Brom, has not responded to United's second contract offer. The teenager was left out of the reserve side to face Middlesbrough on Wednesday amid speculation Liverpool are set to make a move.
Carson failed to respond to last week's improved contract offer from United and manager Blackwell confirmed last night: "Scott was not injured, I chose not to play him in the reserves.
"There has been a lot of speculation about Scott and we daren't risk him because of that. I badly want Scott to stay, but if he is to leave I would not want to jeopardise any possible move by him getting injured."
Aaron Lennon has also been the subject of a speculative bid from an unnamed Premiership club while the impressive form of Healy and Simon Walton has sparked interest from several clubs.
Healy arrived at Leeds in late October and has scored six goals in 14 outings, making him the club's joint top scorer in the Championship with Brian Deane. United spokesman Bryan Morris said: "We want to keep the team intact because results are going well. People like Aaron are the future of the club. We can't sell our future - if we sold someone like Aaron we might as well pack in. We heard about the bid through Aaron's agent, but we turned it down immediately.
"Obviously, if someone came along with a huge bid of £2m to £3m for one of our players then it would be a different story and we would have to look at it. We would have to act in the best interests of Leeds United."
Blackwell has been able to bring in Leandre Griffit on loan with the Southampton winger able to play in tomorrow's FA Cup tie at Birmingham City.
Morris added: "The transfer window will undoubtedly hold a challenging time for Leeds United. Kevin Blackwell is doing a fantastic job in creating what is fast becoming a winning team. The board is keen to continue supporting Kevin and our aspiration is to keep the current team intact.
"Any offer that is made will have to be considered on its individual merits. An outstanding offer from a Premiership club would be good news for one of our highly-rated players and we would have to decide if a deal would also have a mutual benefit for the club.
"I would like to see our strong team unchanged, but it could ultimately prove damaging to the club if we did not weigh up the positive aspects that any deal could hold and act upon that accordingly.
"Like our loyal fans, we want what is best for Leeds United. The recent wins have been fantastic and we are doing everything in our power to ensure this continues."
Talks have resumed after the Christmas holidays with Norman Stubbs over a proposed investment in the club and Sebastien Sainsbury's consortium with regards a £25m takeover.
Chairman Gerald Krasner said: "We had a meeting with one of the parties on Tuesday and another is due to take place today. There will clearly be no news this week but the matter is moving forward."
After asking the Inland Revenue for time to pay an outstanding bill last month, United are believed to be facing a number of payments to former players this month. But Krasner added: "Those are sorted out and everything is okay."