More transfer gossip from Beardo who kicks off with confusing events at Elland Road
Leeds are at the centre of the highest profile transfer speculation, at the time of writing. Goalkeeper Paul Robinson may be about to join his former manager, David O'Leary, at Aston Villa after the Midland club increased its offer from £2 million to £3.5 million.
I know Leeds are cash-strapped but the England international is worth at least four times that derisory amount and if Robinson does move for that pittance it will heap more angst on the Leeds fans who have seen their team dismantled in the wake of a near £100 million spending spree, by, O'Leary.
Harry Kewell's future is about as clear as it has been for several weeks and we still don't know if the Aussie will have to learn Cockney or Catalan. Leeds have denied that they received a £7.5 million offer from Barcelona, another give-away.
Meanwhile Jermaine Pennant has declined to be part of any player-cash deal designed to take Kewell to Highbury so Arsene Wenger may have to stump up cash alone for the winger and that £7.5 million will blow a big hole in his reported 'mini-budget' of £10 million.
Leeds boss Peter Reid seems to be the busiest Premier League manager at the moment and there are reports that he could be about to derail Leicester City's bid to sign Keith Gillespie. After the successful signing of Ricardo Scimeca, from Nottingham Forest, Micky Adams lined up the Northern Ireland international, who was released by Blackburn Rovers, although the former Manchester United star is weighing up overtures from Manchester City and Birmingham.
On the subject of Barcelona it seems that Patrick Kluivert has a clause in his contract allowing him to move on if a pay rise isn't forthcoming. Sir Bobby Robson is watching that situation closely but he may have to keep an even closer eye on close neighbours.
Middlesbrough, who may be trying to hijack Bobby's move for Feyenoord's Brett Emerton. The £20,000 weekly wage wouldn't be a deal breaker for either club but the Aussie international, despite the temptation of Champions League football with the Magpies, wouldn't be guaranteed a first team place at St James' Park but would at The Riverside.
Blackburn boss Graeme Souness is expected to complete the signing of Lorenzo Amoruso within the next fortnight and he is also preparing a £1.5 million bid for Claudio Reyna as his current club Sunderland try to adjust their finances to at least one season in the Nationwide League. But one player who won't be on his way to Ewood Park is Parma defender Vratislav Gresko. Souness pulled out of the move due to the player's excessive wage demands.
Crewe striker Rob Hulse seems to be stalling on a £1 million move to Cardiff City. Premiership sides Everton and Leicester are also in the frame but the lad is worth more than a million.
Gianfranco Zola might be on the verge of moving from Stamford Bridge. You may recall at the end of last season there were reports that Chelsea were stalling on offering Zola a new contract unless he agreed to a wage reduction. The Italian magician would actually like an improved pay deal or parity at least so Ken Bates might save a shed-load of money if Gianfranco moves on. There won't be any shortage of takers for the player who seems to get better with age.
