Bates Dismisses West Ham Interest In Gradel

Leeds United winger Max Gradel has once again been linked with a possible summer exit after the player admitted that he was aware of interest from both Fulham and West Ham.The 23-year-old has attracted plenty of attention after a string of superb performances for the Championship side last season as Leeds just missed out on a place in the play-offs.Gradel scored 18 league goals last season for Leeds while also earning his first cap for the Ivory Coast and has subsequently been linked with a number of clubs.West Ham have  already approached Leeds about signing the tricky winger, but were told that he was not for sale.Leeds United chairman Ken Bates confirmed the winger is going nowhere.Bates confirmed that they had turned down a bid from fellow championship side West Ham, stating that the east end club couldn`t afford him.

Speaking yesterday on Yorkshire Radio, Bates said, "Max is not going anywhere and that is the end of the matter. We already had one offer and that was from West Ham. I think Max will have finished his career by the time they would have finished paying it. They haven`t got any money. Max is a very big part of our squad and he will continue to be so."