Transfer Rumour Mill

Leeds United:

Andy O'Brien
Signed on a two and a half year deal. Great news for the club adding some much needed experience and a calmer head! Dave Jones at Cardiff offered him a deal but Andy decided he wanted to be here if offered the same money as Cardiff did. Good lad. And fair play to Bates for stumping up the wages.

George McCartney
I am hopeful McCartney will return, as we're lacking quality at Left Back, but the latest rumour is we might struggle as Sunderland want us to contribute either more than we have done to his wages, or to pay them in full. Either could scupper the deal. The last I heard from a published source (i.e. a paper I can't remember which) is that we're still negotiating. We need something at LB before Tuesday night.

Michael Johnson
Everyone has surely heard this rumour. He said a couple of weeks back in the Sunday Express:

"You can't pick or choose but I've always been a Leeds fan,"

"I'd love to play for them and a loan deal would be an ideal scenario."

He'd be a no-lose ideal loan, Kilkenny off on International Duty for about 5 games and his wages would be paid in full, so even if not fully fit just yet we'd still reap a benefit - Kilkenny isn't known for his athleticism anyway so he's not going to be any worse! And I feel sure Johnson could play his role if instructed to do so.

Nothing concrete on this at all. Simon gave a typically coy manager's response:

"We've been linked with some top, top players who any club in the country would take. It shows what we're capable of doing if we need to go out and make signings. But anything we do has to be right for club and the squad."

At least nothing negative about this possible deal has come out in the press.

Amdy Faye and Ramon Nunez - New Contracts

Simon said:

"We've got to make a decision on them but we have to be careful that we don't leave ourselves short.

If we don't extend their contracts then we'd need to have other options available to come into the team and the squad."

Seems likely depending on who else we can bring in at CM.

Jonathan Woodgate

With our defence being amongst the most leaky in the league (conceded 41 I believe, the 3rd most in the league) this would obviously be a fantastic signing to play alongside O'Brien many sources for this, the latest being yesterday's Daily Mail, saying:

"Leeds United have offered Jonathan Woodgate the chance to regain his fitness at the club where he started his career.

The Tottenham defender is keen for a short-term loan spell in the Championship to build up his fitness after 13 months out with a groin injury.

Woodgate would prefer a move to the second tier so he can return to action for Tottenham during the back end of the season."

I'd say this is a long shot, but you never know - Cardiff and QPR also interested.

Richard Dunne from Villa

Not happening, played today and seems therefore to be in Houllier's plans.

Isiah Osbourne from Villa
Young centre midfielder and out of contract in the summer - either we'll loan him and get him for nothing in the summer or pay a small-ish fee for a permanent deal right now. Seems reasonable as a rumour. Here's the Sky Sports link...
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_6628820,00.html

Adam Hamill from Barnsley
He has a 500k get out clause in his contract and massively impressed against us at Oakwell. Fantastically talented winger/attacking midfielder who Grayson tried to get last summer but didn't fancy dropping to League 1. The Yorkshire Post reports Leeds along with Forest and Everton are eyeing a bid. 


Other Clubs immediately of note for us...

Cardiff

They've signed Jon Parkin from Preston for a reported 100k. The guy got a hattrick against us but this is surely good news. It signals Bothroyd may be leaving sharpish. I don't believe he improves there squad at all which is obviously a good thing.

They're also rumoured to be paying 1.5M for James Vaughan from Everton, who was on loan at Palace this season. Again not worrying, 5 goals in 14 apps and wasn't as quick as anticipated, had a very poor touch and didn't have a sniff against us. Probably won't set the league alight.

Swansea

Pratley out of contract so will be getting offers. (Wouldn't mind Leeds making a cheeky bid!)

Ashley Williams, wanted by Wigan and West Brom reportedly.

I like the look of this from Brendan Rodgers their manager:

"As much as I would like to keep them all here, it could be a chicken and egg situation where if we want to get the type of player I want in, we may have to generate some money without taking anything away hopefully."

The sound of "generate some money" is appealing. Their side may yet get dismantled and be of help to our promotion bid as a result.

Millwall

Sky Sports also reports that Fulham will bid for Steve Morison their top scorer, Kenny Jackett however has said there is "no chance" he will be sold. Every player has his price though Kenny!