Let's hope Jermaine Beckford stays at Leeds

[Amber Aleman]

After scoring the goal that knocked Man U out of the FA Cup, Beckford has handed in a transfer request. If he moves in the January transfer window then his former club Wealdstone would be entitled to a 20% sell-on fee. But if he doesn't go until the close season then his contract would be up and the Stones would get nowt.

Newcastle are reportedly willing to pay £2m - which would net Wealdstone £400,000 if the transfer happens this month. That sort of cash injection could give the Stones' promotion prospects a massive boost - bad news for us! But Leeds may want to hang on to the player to help them escape from League One. Let's hope they dig in!

[fox]

I hope not as we could have the same situation ourselves one day and I'd hate to see karma smite us!

[Millsy]

Leeds may not have any say in it if there's no 'option' on his contract, despite handing in a transfer request (maybe just to test the water / allow him to start the ball rolling) JB could decide to wait until the summer and potentially get a better package if no fee needs to be paid.

The Wealdstone chairman writes a blog - scroll down to the 'here we go again' entry for his recent comments on it: howiejk.wordpress.com/

[filbert]

If Wealdstone get this cash injection and we do not get promotion this season how many "money" clubs will be competing against next season? I hope that Lowestoft Town will not be playing in the Ryman League Premier next season as they seem to be guaranteed promotion this season from RLN with big crowds and probably money too. But to where? Why are they in the RL anyway?

[taz]

If you think Ken Bates is going to let a £2m striker walk away for nothing, then you're absolutely mental......

[Stewart]

Reading the blog I don't think the chairman will use the funds for players. He seems sensible chap

[Burtie]

Any idea how much (if any) sell-on agreement we have with Fulham over Stefan?

For what it's worth, I'd like to think even Ken Bates would see that cashing in on a player, at the risk of jeopardising your promotion campaign, is a false economy. I'm sure Leeds aren't a one-man team, but if selling Beckford means they have to spend another season in League 1 (or whatever it's called) then I can't see that as good business, £2m or not.

[taz]

Erm, this IS Ken Bates we're talking about here!!

[Chalmers]

Lowestoft are in ryman purely because they couldn't geographically fit anywhere else i think.

They're in a bit of an awkward location with not many clubs at this level particularly close and i imagine could feasible go into any of the feeder leagues ala Kings Lynn,even if they don't get promoted.

[filbert]

If I was Beckford I would stay, get my head down, really put the effort in, get promoted to the Championship and be in a better position personally for much higher wages after he scores stacks of goals next season.

[Stewart]

It is a gamble. He could lose his goal scoring touch and be worth little in three months

[Millsy]

Latest snippet, Newcastle bid £1.5 million 'on table' but reportedly 'losing interest' - link to story here: twitter.com/suttonunited

[Beaney]

He's staying:
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/8464263.stm

[Millsy]

Jan 11, 2010 11:20:15 GMT taz said:

If you think Ken Bates is going to let a £2m striker walk away for nothing, then you're absolutely mental......

latest on JB here: www.twitter.com/suttonunited

I suppose Ken Bates' only hope now is to offer JB a new contract on ridiculous terms to keep him, could be a gamble though. For all JB's comments it would seem more likely that he's playing the game just to get himself a better deal in the summer and in some respects could one blame him?

[Millsy]

from the Wealdstone forum:

"Just had an intersting text from a Leeds supporting mate of mine.............who "has heard" that a contract has been agreed subject to Promotion,

Maybe we'll have a few more Transfer Windows to enjoy yet.........................."

Could be more twists and turns yet!