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January 29, 2003
(Wednesday)
Woodgate: It's in
the balance
The Jonathan Woodgate
saga dragged on last night with Newcastle
United chairman Freddie Shepherd refusing to get involved with Leeds
United's internal politics.
Shepherd confirmed yesterday that he has made a bid of £10m for the
player, but a wall of silence has gone up at Elland Road as the bid
is discussed in private by Leeds' plc board.
The fate of the deal is now out of the hands of Leeds chairman Peter
Ridsdale and hangs entirely on the decision of the Elland Road money
men.
The plc must decide whether to risk fan uproar and sell Woodgate or
find an alternative way to pay off their loan repayments.
Woodgate and manager Terry Venables - who has previously told the
Middlesbrough born centre-back he would not be sold - are understood
to have accepted the matter is out of their hands, with the club's
financial situation superceding playing matters.
Woodgate has admitted privately that he would like to make the move
to St James's Park, but has also insisted he will not ask for a
transfer and will happily stay at Leeds should the bid be rejected.
A Leeds source said: "It is 50-50 at the moment. Jonathan would go if
the club agree to sell and he will stay if they don't. It's as simple
as that.
"Leeds are desperate not to sell, but the financial situation they
are in means there is huge pressure on them to do so."
Shepherd has agreed to leave Leeds alone while they weigh up their
options, although he expects a final decision in the next 48 hours.
He said: "I can confirm we have made a bid for Jonathan Woodgate. We
think it is a fair price, but we will not get involved in the
internal politics of Leeds United." Shepherd confirmed a bid had been
Woodgate signing hangs in balance
made just hours after Middlesbrough pulled out of a £4m deal to sign
Seth Johnson.
Leeds and Boro had agreed a fee for the midfielder and Johnson went
to Teesside to discuss personal terms and undertake a medical.
But Boro boss Steve McClaren announced yesterday that they would not
be pursuing their interest further, with the 23-year-old believed to
have failed his medical examination.
The collapse of that deal has increased the pressure on Leeds plc to
raise funds to make repayments on their bank loans.
The financially-stricken Yorkshire club have now seen a potential
£11m transfer windfall go up in smoke in a fortnight after a similar
end to Robbie Fowler's negotiations with Manchester City.
But if United do fail to lure Woodgate back to the North-East it
would all but end their hopes of making any additions to their squad
before the close of the transfer window at the end of January.
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Woody set to stay?
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Newcastle close in on Woodgate
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