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Jewell Confirms Portsmouth Bid for Leadbitter Monday, 15th Aug 2011 09:50
Town boss Paul Jewell has confirmed that the Blues have received an offer from Portsmouth for skipper Grant Leadbitter. TWTD was first to reveal Pompey’s interest in the 25-year-old midfielder last Thursday.
Jewell says the bid was turned down by the club before he was informed of its size and that talks continue with a view to extending the former Sunderland man’s contract beyond June next year: “Me and Grant have spoken on number of occasions and I don’t really want the situation we had last year where every week I come into the press conference and if it’s not Connor Wickham, it’s Gareth McAuley’s contract or David Norris’s contract.
“I’ve spoken with Grant about that. We’ve turned down an offer from Portsmouth, he knows that. I’ve told him that we want to give him a new contract. He’s happy to sit down but if that offer isn’t acceptable to him, I think in the long-term or the short-term we have to do something about it.
“I don’t want things dragging on,” Jewell continued, “I think he’s cool with that. We want to keep him, he wants to stay. If the owner can do a deal with his agent, we’re all happy. If he can’t, Grant knows the situation is that we might have to sell him. But we’re not looking to sell him, that’s for sure.”
Leadbitter would be available on a Bosman free transfer next summer and would be able to start talking to clubs regarding such a move from January.
Jewell revealed that the Blues and tomorrow’s opponents Southampton were both in for Burnley’s England U21 international striker or winger Jay Rodriguez earlier in the summer.
The Town boss says the Saints’ transfer business during the close season illustrates their intent in their first year back in the Championship: “They finished last season great and they’ve continued that.
“It shows their ambition that they’ve paid £600,000 for Jack Cork, they bid £5 million for Jay Rodriguez and Danny Fox [both from Burnley, signing the latter].
"Rodriguez is a player that we bid a lot of money for in the summer but were told that he wasn’t for sale unless it was £6 million.”
Jewell says Lee Martin is a slight doubt ahead of the visit by Nigel Adkins’s side, while Damien Delaney will be fine after his ankle problem, but that the Blues will again be without Ãvar Ingimarsson due to his thigh strain: “Lee Martin has a little bit of a tight hamstring.
“Damien came through, he hadn’t trained all week and he was certainly tired by the end. Ãvar’s going to be a couple of weeks at least.”
The Town manager said there is no news on the two bids he revealed at the weekend and the Blues appear unlikely to have any new central defensive cover in their squad for the Southampton.
Photo: Action Images
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IF HE turns down contract then we have to sell 1mil to 1.5 mill hopefully. Now the cost of keeping him would be say 1.25mil + 14k week( 750k roughly)= 2mil. Nothing left at end as leaves on free. Cost of bullard 25k week maybe 2 year contract= 2.5 mil . therfore we would get 2 years of bullard for the cost of one year of leadbitter +500k. Worth it ?
The Iain Duncan-Smith of midfielders, and captains. Weedy little nobody. It is immaterial whether he plays or not as his contribution is the same. Get rid.
^^I think that's harsh, why is Jewell so keen to keep him and why are Pompey so keen on signing him? His job isn't about flair, he's a competitor and has good holding qualities and is the Captain of our Club, you don't simply sell your Captain a week into the season...
If leadbitter is on his way who will be his replacement? Andrews for me is only a temporary solution long term I don't have a clue. Although we have a stronger team on paper compared to recent years we have to have strength in depth selling leadbitter is a step back for me.
Wouldn't be surprised if we let Leadbitter go, but hopefully not until we have replaced. IF he goes, that would be Bullard, Norris and Leadbitter gone since last season and just Bowyer signed (plus a player on a 6-month loan). Surely that would make us much weaker squad wise?
Actually, looking at it, there is SO MUCH more work to be done. We have fewer players than last year. Assuming Grant does leave, we will need replacements for him, Bullard, Fulop/Murphy and McAuley - plus another CB, striker and RB! Quite a lot of work for PNJ to do!!
PNJ has signed some decent players, but two are loans, Ellington is a questionable signing, whilst the least said about Ingermarsson the better! Still, Chopra and Cresswell look good buys. Jury still out on Bowyer (better suited to PL football?) and JET (being played out of position).
Reading this in conjuction with evening star article, i have a few questions. Pj obviously wasn't told this early on, and it was probably down to phils article last week he found out. Why? We also have clegg going public in evening star on all sorts to imptove his p.r, is there a teensy weeny power struggle going on behind scenes? I am also concerned by money, will we take money for leadbitter and get yet another loan? We sold wickham for 8 mill at least, have lost all pur highest earners as was, yet we have spent 3 million or so. Maybe we need to sell leadbitter before we can buy again as the 5 mill is obviously going to mr evans.
Grant L is at a crossroads in his career. In one direction he can step up to the mark and be a more dynamic captain for itfc. In the other direction is a more anonymous role in the pompey midfield. I hope he stays.
I think Leadbitter is better than a lot people give him credit for and would like him to stay. However if a deal can't be agreed soon the club may have to cut their losses and sell in Jan as we dont want another expensive buy walking out for free next summer
dont think we will be in the bottom half.one or two additions and the ones that are here slightly tinkered into there positions for maximum effect we will be fine
Hmm, when i see the comments made by some people on here,i wonder. E.g paulnstar. Are you a fan? No, you are an idiot. Nothing to add, or positive to say. Leadbitter, should stay without doubt. A quality player, lacking in confidence. Back him. I think a lot of norwichs strength last year came from the monumental backing they got from their fans.
And, what idiotic town fan will keep going on about bullard? The same who wanted dyer back who was carried off on a stretcher in first game. Bullard has a year left tops with his knees. I am amazed wentook ingimarsson on, but there again he was the cheap option.
ok marcus if leadbitter refuses to sign contract now (newyear to late his value would be allmost nil then) would you prefer bullard for 2 years or leadbettter for one and 500k. A risk yes but provides creativity and fun. Make your choice and show your not an idiot!
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