Newcastle United's Jermaine Beckford bid knocked back

Dec 31 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

NEWCASTLE have opened the bidding war for Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford with a £1.25m offer that has been rejected by the Elland Road club.

Chris Hughton has admitted publicly for the first time this week that he is interested in Beckford as he looks to add to his forward options and Newcastle have already spoken to Leeds twice about the availability of their star striker.

The Journal understands that United were in touch with their West Yorkshire counterparts a fortnight ago after Beckford and Simon Grayson publicly clashed over the striker’s late substitution in a League One game against Southampton. Leeds want nearer £2m for a forward who will be out of contract and available for nothing at the end of the season, and the League One leaders will have to bring in a replacement before parting with their top scorer.

That means United are likely to have to wait to get their man, although the fact that the two clubs have gone as far as discussing fees does seem to suggest a deal may be in the offing at some point in the January transfer window.

Hughton has other options – not least Marlon Harewood – but that deal is in the balance because Aston Villa want to sell him permanently rather than loan him out again. Long-term target Beckford has been on United’s radar for more than a year and was first scouted by Dennis Wise during his ill-fated Newcastle career. But Alan Shearer included him on the transfer wish-list he had drawn up in the event of him taking over at St James’ Park and Hughton, too, is a fan of the pacy forward.

For the most part United have not struggled to score goals this season, but the loss of Harewood and the fragile injury record of Shola Ameobi has led to Hughton looking for reinforcements in the transfer window.