Bowyer transfer-listed by Leeds

Lee Bowyer has been placed on Leeds United transfer list after turning down offer of five-year contract.

Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale had already warned Leeds would have to off-load some of their more highly-priced talent over the summer after the Yorkshire club failed to qualify for the Champions League.

Speculation has since surrounded the likely candidates for the Elland Road exit with Robbie Keane, Olivier Dacourt, Harry Kewell and even England defender Rio Ferdinand all the subject of transfer rumours.

Bowyer, 25, joined Leeds from Charlton in July 1996 for £2.7million a British record fee for a teenager at the time.

However, the talented midfielder is no stranger to controversy and just months after his big-money move was fined £4,500 after admitting affray following an incident at a McDonald’s restaurant in London.

Bowyer also found himself in hot water with the football authorities for his behaviour on the pitch both at home and in Europe.

In February 2002, he was banned for six matches and fined £10,000 by the Football Association after being found guilty of elbowing Liverpool midfielder Gary McAllister and also swearing at referee Jeff Winter in a match against Arsenal.

A drawn-out court case prevented Bowyer from fulfilling his World Cup ambitions, although England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has intimated the midfielder will be part of his plans for the Euro 2004 qualifiers.

Bowyer had been briefly placed on the transfer list by boss David O’Leary after refusing to accept disciplinary action earlier this year.

But the former England Under-21 star backed down and only last month expressed his desire to stay at Elland Road.

Speaking in April, Bowyer said: ‘‘Of course I want to stay.

‘‘The support here is great. Where can I get support like I’ve had here? It’s impossible.’’