Wednesday 22 June 2011

Alan Smith 'Reseptive' to Leeds United Approach

Leeds United have stepped up their bid to sign former hero Alan Smith by enquiring what wages the former England international will accept to seal a return to Elland Road.The 30-year-old has a year remaining on his £60,000 per week contract at Newcastle United but has been told he can leave as Alan Pardew looks to remodel his squad with a more youthful feel.As part of their attempts to get Smith off the wage bill, Newcastle are willing to release Smith on a free transfer and subsidise his wages to the tune of around £30,000 per week.Even with such a substantial discount, however, Leeds would be unable to afford to make up the difference – a point that has been made to the player’s representatives by the United hierarchy in recent days.
Smith is understood to be receptive to United’s approach, even if it means taking a pay cut. As a consequence, Leeds are much more hopeful of pushing a deal through than was the case even a fortnight ago. If the Rothwell-born striker-turned-midfielder does re-join United, supporter opinion is likely to be divided with some still being angry at his decision to sign for bitter rivals Manchester United following Leeds’s relegation in 2004.

As a consequence of the ill-feeling that still exists among some supporters, Smith was jeered by the visiting Leeds fans throughout their side’s friendly at St James’ Park in 2009.

A good number of United fans are, however, much more happy at the prospect of signing a player who helped Newcastle to promotion from the Championship in 2009-10.

4 comments:

  1. DirtyLeedsBooo22 June 2011 at 11:43

    It's 'receptive' numbnuts........

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  2. I do find it amusing how we're largely considered to be Leeds scum yet we can all spell?....

    ReplyDelete