Leeds United closing in on Stewart deal
Yorkshire Evening Post 4/1/14
Brian McDermott last night revealed that Leeds United were closing in on a deal for Hull City’s Cameron Stewart – and refused to rule out a bid for Bradford City striker Nahki Wells.
McDermott confirmed that United are locked in talks about signing Stewart, the 22-year-old winger who is back at Hull after completing a half-season loan with Charlton Athletic.
Leeds are working towards a permanent deal for Stewart whose contract at the KC Stadium expires at the end of the season.
The former Manchester United trainee also has the option of a return to The Valley and is attracting the interest of at least one other Championship club, but McDermott spoke hopefully about reaching an agreement to bring him to Elland Road.
Stewart’s loan at Charlton ended on New Year’s Day and he was expected to be included in Hull’s squad for their FA Cup third-round tie against Middlesbrough today.
City boss Steve Bruce plans to field a weakened team at The Riverside, potentially giving Stewart the chance of a first Hull appearance since a League Cup outing in August.
He appears to have no future at the KC Stadium, however, and City anticipate his departure before the end of the transfer window.
Charlton, meanwhile, are continuing to chase Stewart’s signature and are in an improved financial position following a takeover of the London club by Belgian entrepreneur Roland Duchatelet yesterday.
McDermott, who sees Stewart as an answer to the restrictive lack of wide players at Leeds, said: “We’re trying to do a deal and I think we’re getting closer.” The Leeds boss also left the door open to an offer for Wells, the highly-rated Bradford prospect who has scored 15 goals this season.
A new striker appears to be one of McDermott’s priorities following his admission after Wednesday’s defeat to Blackburn Rovers that he was keen to “take the pressure off” top scorer Ross McCormack.
McCormack’s 18 goals have contributed heavily to United’s rise to eighth in the Championship. Bradford have already turned down one seven-figure offer for Wells since the start of the January window but a spate of bids is likely amid interest from at least two Premier League clubs and several in the lower leagues.
McDermott said: “I think Nahki Wells is a good player. But he plays for Bradford. Phil Parkinson’s a good friend of mine and I’d imagine he’ll be trying to keep Nahki. I’d imagine he’ll cost a lot of money.”
Brian McDermott last night revealed that Leeds United were closing in on a deal for Hull City’s Cameron Stewart – and refused to rule out a bid for Bradford City striker Nahki Wells.
McDermott confirmed that United are locked in talks about signing Stewart, the 22-year-old winger who is back at Hull after completing a half-season loan with Charlton Athletic.
Leeds are working towards a permanent deal for Stewart whose contract at the KC Stadium expires at the end of the season.
The former Manchester United trainee also has the option of a return to The Valley and is attracting the interest of at least one other Championship club, but McDermott spoke hopefully about reaching an agreement to bring him to Elland Road.
Stewart’s loan at Charlton ended on New Year’s Day and he was expected to be included in Hull’s squad for their FA Cup third-round tie against Middlesbrough today.
City boss Steve Bruce plans to field a weakened team at The Riverside, potentially giving Stewart the chance of a first Hull appearance since a League Cup outing in August.
He appears to have no future at the KC Stadium, however, and City anticipate his departure before the end of the transfer window.
Charlton, meanwhile, are continuing to chase Stewart’s signature and are in an improved financial position following a takeover of the London club by Belgian entrepreneur Roland Duchatelet yesterday.
McDermott, who sees Stewart as an answer to the restrictive lack of wide players at Leeds, said: “We’re trying to do a deal and I think we’re getting closer.” The Leeds boss also left the door open to an offer for Wells, the highly-rated Bradford prospect who has scored 15 goals this season.
A new striker appears to be one of McDermott’s priorities following his admission after Wednesday’s defeat to Blackburn Rovers that he was keen to “take the pressure off” top scorer Ross McCormack.
McCormack’s 18 goals have contributed heavily to United’s rise to eighth in the Championship. Bradford have already turned down one seven-figure offer for Wells since the start of the January window but a spate of bids is likely amid interest from at least two Premier League clubs and several in the lower leagues.
McDermott said: “I think Nahki Wells is a good player. But he plays for Bradford. Phil Parkinson’s a good friend of mine and I’d imagine he’ll be trying to keep Nahki. I’d imagine he’ll cost a lot of money.”