Yorkshire Evening Post 20/6/11
Schmeichel hits back as Leeds United accept Leicester City bid
By Leon Wobschall
Kasper Schmichel insists he is being forced out of Leeds United after the club accepted an undisclosed bid from npower Championship rivals Leicester City for his services.
The Danish international stopper, 24, who has a year left on his contract after joining United just 13 months ago, said he was happy at Elland Road and looking forward to playing his part in a promotion crusade in 2010-11.
Schmeichel’s exit would leave United without a recognised first-team keeper on their books, with last season’s No.2, Shane Higgs, released at the end of last term.
But Whites boss Simon Grayson has insisted the deal is “in the best interests of Leeds United”, with Schmeichel said to be unwilling to commit his long-term future to the club.
A statement issued on behalf of Schmeichel by his representatives read: “At the end of the season, Leeds United and I both made a commitment to honour the last year of my contract and try to win promotion.
“Therefore, it’s with great disappointment that I have learned that Leeds have accepted an offer from Leicester. I want to put on record that I have never asked to leave Leeds United, nor did I reject an offer for a new contract, since one was never put to me.
“I was enjoying being a Leeds United player and was looking forward to winning promotion this season with the club.
“I have spoken to the manager Simon Grayson and he has made it clear to me, that, in spite of having played well for him, this is something he believes is a good deal for Leeds United.
“I have been put in a very difficult situation and will spend some time considering my options for my future.”
United were today stepping up their search for a new number one keeper after accepting an offer – thought to be over £1m – for Schmeichel, who joined the club on a Bosman free transfer from Notts County.
On Schmeichel’s proposed move, United boss Grayson added: “We feel this is the right deal for the club.
“We spoke to Kasper’s agent at the end of the season about a contract extension and it was apparent that it was going to be difficult to agree a deal.
“Given the fact that he has one year left on his contract, we feel this is in the best interests of Leeds United.”
A switch to the East Midlands would see Schmeichel link up again with Foxes boss Sven Goran Eriksson, who took him to Notts County from Manchester City.
Schmeichel, who received his maiden full international call-up to the Denmark squad last month, endured a mixed first season with the Whites and, despite showing plenty of promise, kept just nine clean sheets in 37 league games. Ironically, only Leicester, of the other sides in the top-half of the Championship table, conceded more league goals.
United were recently linked with Coventry City’s highly-rated keeper Kieren Westwood, but he looks set to move to Sunderland. Leicester were also in the hunt for Westwood, with the likes of Huddersfield’s Alex Smithies and Nottingham Forest’s Northern Ireland international Lee Camp also on their radar.
Former loan keeper Jason Brown, who is a free agent after leaving Blackburn Rovers, is another potential United target.
Meanwhile, United’s opening clash of 2011-12 campaign, against Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday, August 6, has been switched to a 5.20pm kick-off.

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