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 Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 6:19 pm Post subject: Leeds in the hunt for three |
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Leeds United were making their final moves in the transfer market today – with Jonathon Douglas set to return to Elland Road on a permanent basis.
The Blackburn midfielder was top of United's list of targets ahead of tonight's deadline, and his capture could be supplemented by a long-term defensive loan signing.
Kevin Blackwell is in the market for a left-back and a second-choice goalkeeper, and the club have been working to fill both positions in time for their league game against Wolves on September 10.
The transfer window will close at midnight, preventing any permanent transfers until January 1, but Championship clubs are still entitled to agree loan deals of up to three months between now and the turn of the year.
Blackwell may wait until after the window closes to secure a second keeper following the return of Tony Warner to Fulham this week.
Warner was signed on a month's loan 24 hours before the start of the season while Neil Sullivan nursed a thigh injury, but the cost of his wages prevented United from extending their deal with Fulham.
Blackwell is also anxious to find cover for left-back Stephen Crainey having sold Dan Harding to Ipswich and sent youngster Ben Parker on loan to Bradford City during the summer, and United were hopeful of securing suitable back-up today.
But Leeds' midfield is the most troubling area for Blackwell, and the re-emergence of Douglas as a potential signing has come at a timely stage with Shaun Derry beginning his recovery from hernia surgery.
Douglas accepted a season-long loan deal at Elland Road last season, completing his stay during the play-off final defeat to Watford, but talk of a permanent deal between Leeds and Blackburn faded during the summer.
United, however, were today close to reaching a deal with Rovers, who do not see Douglas as a future first-team player at Ewood Park. The Irish midfielder looks likely to move to Yorkshire on a free transfer with United short of funds despite player exits from Elland Road reaching double figures over the summer.
Youngster Ian Morris was added to that list today after moving to Scunthorpe United for a nominal fee.
Morris has failed to break into Blackwell's senior line-up and, after signing for Blackpool on loan last season, he has now accepted a 12 month deal at Glanford Park, a contract which includes a sell-on clause.
Leeds' chief executive officer Shaun Harvey said: "Ian is a hugely talented player but, due to the quality of the squad here, he has not succeeded in breaking through to first team level."
Morris' transfer will trim United's wage bill, but the club were still hoping to part company with Eirik Bakke before tonight's deadline. The Norwegian's salary is placing a growing strain on Leeds' finances, and United are anxious to free themselves of his £23,000-a-week wages.
Little interest has been shown in Bakke domestically, however, and he may still be on the club's books tomorrow despite United's insistence he has played his final game for them.
Bakke is one of a number of midfielders unavailable to Blackwell, and Derry is expected to be absent until the meeting with Stoke on October 14 after undergoing surgery in Germany.
Steve Stone has avoided an operation, though, and is also targetting the clash with Stoke having torn an abductor muscle against Cardiff City earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi, who was understood to be interesting Leeds, has signed for Newcastle on loan until January.
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