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Blake's pay-off holds up United
Leeds agree fee for striker
RICHARD SUTCLIFFE
ROBBIE BLAKE will today be left behind when his Birmingham City team-mates jet off to Norway for a pre-season training camp after Leeds United agreed a fee with the Blues.
After a weekend of negotiations, the two clubs yesterday agreed an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £850,000 for the 29-year-old striker who moved to St Andrews for £1.25m from Burnley in January.
Blake has spoken to Kevin Blackwell and told the Leeds manager how keen he is to move to Elland Road. The Yorkshire Post understands, however, that the transfer is subject to a settlement being reached between Birmingham and Blake over the remaining three years of his contract.
United are close to agreeing personal terms with Blake, but such is the huge gulf between wages paid in the Premiership and Championship that the striker will have to take a substantial pay cut to move to Elland Road.
Further talks are planned between the player's agent and the St Andrews board this week with Blake, who had been expecting to fly out with the Blues squad to Scandinavia today, set to train with the reserves until the matter is resolved.
Coincidentally, Leeds are also in Norway this week as part of their build-up to the new campaign and are due to share the same hotel as the Blues in Stavanger.
Manager Blackwell said: "There are a number of things that still need to be completed before the Robbie Blake deal is done and until then I would rather not say too much. It could still fall through."
Blake's arrival will be a huge boost to United and give Blackwell enviable options up front with the former Bradford striker vying with Rob Hulse and David Healy for a starting role.
Versatile Blake has played on the right side of midfield during his career while his intelligent use of the ball and eye for an opening also mean the 29-year-old is capable of slotting in just behind the front two.
Steve Stone was the notable absentee when United flew out to Norway ahead of their two-game tour after injuring an Achilles in training.
The 33-year-old sustained the injury in a behind-closed-doors friendly game at Thorp Arch and has been left behind as a precautionary measure.
Blackwell is waiting to hear the extent of the damage, but the injury is not expected to be serious enough to prevent the former England midfielder starting the season on August 7.
Stone's omission has handed trialist Freddie Santos a further chance to impress with Blackwell hoping the Angolan international striker will receive clearance to play a part in the games against either FK Haugesund or Stavanger IF.
Of the other trialists who figured in the friendly game at Thorp Arch last weekend, Northern Ireland winger Keith Gillespie and Hungarian international midfielder Zsolt Baranos have been released.
Blackwell said: "We have a couple of others who will be coming back to train with us at Thorp Arch when we return from Norway. Keith did really well and worked very hard, but we have decided not to pursue that option."
Captain Paul Butler has signed a 12-month extension to his current deal to remain at Elland Road until the summer of 2007.
Blake's pay-off holds up United
Leeds agree fee for striker
RICHARD SUTCLIFFE
ROBBIE BLAKE will today be left behind when his Birmingham City team-mates jet off to Norway for a pre-season training camp after Leeds United agreed a fee with the Blues.
After a weekend of negotiations, the two clubs yesterday agreed an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £850,000 for the 29-year-old striker who moved to St Andrews for £1.25m from Burnley in January.
Blake has spoken to Kevin Blackwell and told the Leeds manager how keen he is to move to Elland Road. The Yorkshire Post understands, however, that the transfer is subject to a settlement being reached between Birmingham and Blake over the remaining three years of his contract.
United are close to agreeing personal terms with Blake, but such is the huge gulf between wages paid in the Premiership and Championship that the striker will have to take a substantial pay cut to move to Elland Road.
Further talks are planned between the player's agent and the St Andrews board this week with Blake, who had been expecting to fly out with the Blues squad to Scandinavia today, set to train with the reserves until the matter is resolved.
Coincidentally, Leeds are also in Norway this week as part of their build-up to the new campaign and are due to share the same hotel as the Blues in Stavanger.
Manager Blackwell said: "There are a number of things that still need to be completed before the Robbie Blake deal is done and until then I would rather not say too much. It could still fall through."
Blake's arrival will be a huge boost to United and give Blackwell enviable options up front with the former Bradford striker vying with Rob Hulse and David Healy for a starting role.
Versatile Blake has played on the right side of midfield during his career while his intelligent use of the ball and eye for an opening also mean the 29-year-old is capable of slotting in just behind the front two.
Steve Stone was the notable absentee when United flew out to Norway ahead of their two-game tour after injuring an Achilles in training.
The 33-year-old sustained the injury in a behind-closed-doors friendly game at Thorp Arch and has been left behind as a precautionary measure.
Blackwell is waiting to hear the extent of the damage, but the injury is not expected to be serious enough to prevent the former England midfielder starting the season on August 7.
Stone's omission has handed trialist Freddie Santos a further chance to impress with Blackwell hoping the Angolan international striker will receive clearance to play a part in the games against either FK Haugesund or Stavanger IF.
Of the other trialists who figured in the friendly game at Thorp Arch last weekend, Northern Ireland winger Keith Gillespie and Hungarian international midfielder Zsolt Baranos have been released.
Blackwell said: "We have a couple of others who will be coming back to train with us at Thorp Arch when we return from Norway. Keith did really well and worked very hard, but we have decided not to pursue that option."
Captain Paul Butler has signed a 12-month extension to his current deal to remain at Elland Road until the summer of 2007.