Whites eye double deal for Pompey duo
Yorkshire Evening Post 6/7/12
By Leon Wobschall
Leeds United targets Luke Varney and David Norris are close to sealing their exits at Portsmouth – with Neil Warnock at the front of the queue to sign the pair.
Pompey boss Michael Appleton has confirmed that striker Varney is in talks with United, while Norris, a close friend of Varney’s, is also speaking with a Championship club.
Varney, 29, has set his heart on a switch to United and is keen to seal the move before the start of pre-season next week.
There is thought to be rival interest in the former Blackpool frontman, but Elland Road is his preferred destination.
Midfielder Norris, 31, is understood to be have held advanced talks with United and their Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday ahead of making his final decision, with both players available for cut-price fees following the cash-strapped South Coast club’s relegation to League One.
Appleton said: “I believe Luke has been in talks with Leeds. Whether that (move) will happen this weekend or next week, we’ll have to see.
“David is also in discussions with a Championship club and I will be surprised if there weren’t others interested in him.
“I know they are both close to agreeing moves elsewhere.”
Warnock’s need to bolster his striking options has been heightened by the news that Davide Somma is unlikely to return to first-team action until the autumn.
The South African international has been out since suffering a anterior cruciate knee ligament injury in pre-season training last summer.
As it stands, Warnock’s striking cupboard is noticeably bare and while Luciano Becchio is expected to lead the line next term, the future of last season’s top-scorer Ross McCormack is uncertain, with the Scot having rejected fresh terms – with Huddersfield and Crystal Palace in the market to sign him.
Transfer-listed Billy Paynter’s days at Elland Road also look numbered, while Mikael Forssell and Danny Webber left the club in May. Along with Varney, another striker believed to be interesting United is West Brom’s Simon Cox, expected to leave The Hawthorns this summer.
Meanwhile, Leeds United Supporters’ Trust (LUST) has called for patience as fans wait for further details about a possible takeover.
United announced last Tuesday they had granted permission to an unnamed group of potential investors, believed to be from the Middle East, to conduct due diligence. And although there have been no club updates since, LUST have assured fans the process is ongoing.
A statement said: “At the moment, both sides are prevented from making comments by a confidentiality clause and we have to respect their right to conduct the negotiations as they see fit. Due diligence can be a long process and trying to predict how long this might take will be difficult, even for those closest to the deal.
“At LUST we have tried to respond to fans with what we feel are realistic estimates for time-frames, but the only concrete news will come when the club or the investor chooses to announce it.”
“We will continue to do all we can to build an ambitious and successful Leeds United for the future and we hope that Leeds fans will not have to wait too much longer to hear a positive update. We urge you all, in the meantime, to stand together and be patient until there is news to hear.”
By Leon Wobschall
Leeds United targets Luke Varney and David Norris are close to sealing their exits at Portsmouth – with Neil Warnock at the front of the queue to sign the pair.
Pompey boss Michael Appleton has confirmed that striker Varney is in talks with United, while Norris, a close friend of Varney’s, is also speaking with a Championship club.
Varney, 29, has set his heart on a switch to United and is keen to seal the move before the start of pre-season next week.
There is thought to be rival interest in the former Blackpool frontman, but Elland Road is his preferred destination.
Midfielder Norris, 31, is understood to be have held advanced talks with United and their Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday ahead of making his final decision, with both players available for cut-price fees following the cash-strapped South Coast club’s relegation to League One.
Appleton said: “I believe Luke has been in talks with Leeds. Whether that (move) will happen this weekend or next week, we’ll have to see.
“David is also in discussions with a Championship club and I will be surprised if there weren’t others interested in him.
“I know they are both close to agreeing moves elsewhere.”
Warnock’s need to bolster his striking options has been heightened by the news that Davide Somma is unlikely to return to first-team action until the autumn.
The South African international has been out since suffering a anterior cruciate knee ligament injury in pre-season training last summer.
As it stands, Warnock’s striking cupboard is noticeably bare and while Luciano Becchio is expected to lead the line next term, the future of last season’s top-scorer Ross McCormack is uncertain, with the Scot having rejected fresh terms – with Huddersfield and Crystal Palace in the market to sign him.
Transfer-listed Billy Paynter’s days at Elland Road also look numbered, while Mikael Forssell and Danny Webber left the club in May. Along with Varney, another striker believed to be interesting United is West Brom’s Simon Cox, expected to leave The Hawthorns this summer.
Meanwhile, Leeds United Supporters’ Trust (LUST) has called for patience as fans wait for further details about a possible takeover.
United announced last Tuesday they had granted permission to an unnamed group of potential investors, believed to be from the Middle East, to conduct due diligence. And although there have been no club updates since, LUST have assured fans the process is ongoing.
A statement said: “At the moment, both sides are prevented from making comments by a confidentiality clause and we have to respect their right to conduct the negotiations as they see fit. Due diligence can be a long process and trying to predict how long this might take will be difficult, even for those closest to the deal.
“At LUST we have tried to respond to fans with what we feel are realistic estimates for time-frames, but the only concrete news will come when the club or the investor chooses to announce it.”
“We will continue to do all we can to build an ambitious and successful Leeds United for the future and we hope that Leeds fans will not have to wait too much longer to hear a positive update. We urge you all, in the meantime, to stand together and be patient until there is news to hear.”