Leeds Chasing Derby Striker

Leeds United are rumoured to have made a move for transfer listed Derby striker Steve Davies.Leeds are believed to have tabled a bid of around £400,000 well short of Derby's £1m valuation of the player.The 24-year-old striker was offered a new three-year deal following conclusion of the 2011-12 season, in which he scored 12 goals and finished joint-top goalscorer.However due to family circumstances, Davies made the decision to turn down the offer.Subsequently he has been made available for transfer.He remains under contract with Derby until the summer of 2013 after the Club took up the option to extend his contract by a further year.The promising forward can operate as a centre forward, a lone striker and also in an attacking midfield role.His Derby career has been stop-start due to injuries, but when Davies has been fit his ability and potential has never come into any doubt.After returning early for pre-season training in 2010 he was unfortunate to suffer a cruciate ligament injury that ruled him for six months, but he returned to be available for every game in the second half of the season.He began the 2011-12 npower Championship in fine form, netting five goals in 10 games, before injury struck. The Liverpudlian was ruled out for almost four months after suffering a fractured skull in the side's 1-1 home draw with Southampton in October. After undergoing surgery he made a full recovery and returned to action during the closing months of the campaign, scoring five times during March.Derby boss Nigel Clough said: "There's no falling out with Steven, no disagreement about money, no lack of ambition by the Club or anything like that. He has genuine reason why he has turned the offer down and it's one that we accept and understand."People might be sceptical about this news but we completely respect Steven's decision. He's available for transfer and if a bid comes in which matches our valuation, then we'll move on and wish Steven and his family all the very best."
It is believed Leeds made a move for the player as their leading goalscorer Ross McCormack contract talks have stalled ,and he looks set to exit the club during the summer with several Premiership clubs showing interest.