£3M and RISING
United review Fowler costs
By PAUL DEWS
Yorkshire Evening Post
LEEDS UNITED were today reviewing their agreement with former striker Robbie Fowler. Fowler made the switch from Manchester City to Liverpool over the weekend and United were going through the paperwork to assess the potential cost to themselves. When Fowler joined City in January 2003, former United chairman Peter Ridsdale entered into an agreement with the striker that saw Leeds subsidise his wages. The Elland Road club are
understood to have contributed in excess of £20,000 a week to Fowler's wages since he left Leeds – an agreement which has already cost United over £3m – and that deal is due to continue until July 1 this year. United chief executive officer Shaun Harvey confirmed: "The deal was made with Robbie Fowler when he left to subsidise his wages away from Leeds United. That was a deal which was acceptable to the club at that time.
"We will re-visit the agreement as a matter of course to establish whether it was specific to Manchester City or to Fowler as an individual."
United chairman Ken Bates revealed in the YEP last week that £4.3m is still outstanding to former players – and should United continue to pay a portion of Fowler's salary it will cost around £500,000 before the deal expires during the summer. Fowler, an £11m buy from Liverpool in November 2001 who scored 14 goals in 33 appearances during a 14-month stay at Elland Road, was one of the first fire sales by the Leeds board three years ago. The 30-year-old departed at the same time as Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate, when United's financial problems first hit. Fowler hasn't enjoyed the happiest of times since his move to Manchester City – but he has now put pen to paper on a short-term deal with Liverpool that ties him to Anfield until the end of the season.Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has revealed Fowler, pictured, was "desperate" to return to Anfield.
The 'Toxteth Terror', who scored 171 goals in 330 appearances during a near 10-year spell on Merseyside, could not wait to sign up again for the Reds.
"I've never known a transfer happen quite so quickly," said Parry. "It was all done within 24 hours, and that was largely because of Robbie's passion to rejoin the club.
"I had to persuade Robbie to look at the contract. I think I could have put a contract in front of him with no money on it and he would have signed it!
"He really was that desperate to come back.
"At Liverpool we always look for players who are committed to coming to the club and want to play for us, but I've never seen quite such enthusiasm as Robbie showed.
"Despite Liverpool's success this season – the club are third in the Premiership table and through to the last 16 of the Champions League – manager Rafael Benitez's side have found goals hard to come by. Despite Fowler's recent struggles with City, Parry is hoping the 30-year-old can solve the problem.
"We hope this is the spark for his career. Certainly on Robbie's part there is no lack of motivation," added Parry.
"The idea of coming short term was no factor at all. No problem. He was just desperate to come and prove himself to Rafa.
"The point to stress is that first and foremost this was a football decision, and it was Rafa's judgment he would strengthen the team."
United review Fowler costs
By PAUL DEWS
Yorkshire Evening Post
LEEDS UNITED were today reviewing their agreement with former striker Robbie Fowler. Fowler made the switch from Manchester City to Liverpool over the weekend and United were going through the paperwork to assess the potential cost to themselves. When Fowler joined City in January 2003, former United chairman Peter Ridsdale entered into an agreement with the striker that saw Leeds subsidise his wages. The Elland Road club are
understood to have contributed in excess of £20,000 a week to Fowler's wages since he left Leeds – an agreement which has already cost United over £3m – and that deal is due to continue until July 1 this year. United chief executive officer Shaun Harvey confirmed: "The deal was made with Robbie Fowler when he left to subsidise his wages away from Leeds United. That was a deal which was acceptable to the club at that time."We will re-visit the agreement as a matter of course to establish whether it was specific to Manchester City or to Fowler as an individual."
United chairman Ken Bates revealed in the YEP last week that £4.3m is still outstanding to former players – and should United continue to pay a portion of Fowler's salary it will cost around £500,000 before the deal expires during the summer. Fowler, an £11m buy from Liverpool in November 2001 who scored 14 goals in 33 appearances during a 14-month stay at Elland Road, was one of the first fire sales by the Leeds board three years ago. The 30-year-old departed at the same time as Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate, when United's financial problems first hit. Fowler hasn't enjoyed the happiest of times since his move to Manchester City – but he has now put pen to paper on a short-term deal with Liverpool that ties him to Anfield until the end of the season.Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has revealed Fowler, pictured, was "desperate" to return to Anfield.
The 'Toxteth Terror', who scored 171 goals in 330 appearances during a near 10-year spell on Merseyside, could not wait to sign up again for the Reds.
"I've never known a transfer happen quite so quickly," said Parry. "It was all done within 24 hours, and that was largely because of Robbie's passion to rejoin the club.
"I had to persuade Robbie to look at the contract. I think I could have put a contract in front of him with no money on it and he would have signed it!
"He really was that desperate to come back.
"At Liverpool we always look for players who are committed to coming to the club and want to play for us, but I've never seen quite such enthusiasm as Robbie showed.
"Despite Liverpool's success this season – the club are third in the Premiership table and through to the last 16 of the Champions League – manager Rafael Benitez's side have found goals hard to come by. Despite Fowler's recent struggles with City, Parry is hoping the 30-year-old can solve the problem.
"We hope this is the spark for his career. Certainly on Robbie's part there is no lack of motivation," added Parry.
"The idea of coming short term was no factor at all. No problem. He was just desperate to come and prove himself to Rafa.
"The point to stress is that first and foremost this was a football decision, and it was Rafa's judgment he would strengthen the team."
