Countdown begins to Dacourt departure

Leeds midfielder Olivier Dacourt is set to sign for Roma tomorrow, which would be to the delight of the Italian club’s coach Fabio Capello.

United chairman Peter Ridsdale flew out to Rome today for a meeting with officials from the Serie A outfit to finalise a deal for the France international.

Dacourt has long been linked with a move to Italy, with Lazio once close to signing the 27-year-old, while Juventus were also understood to be keen at one stage.

But it is Roma who have now stepped in for Dacourt, who recently fell out of favour with Terry Venables following the appearance of a magazine article last month in which he criticised the Leeds manager and the team.

Dacourt, who was injured at the time, was fined a week’s wages following a meeting with Venables and although now fit again, it is clear he no longer has a part to play in the manager’s plans as he has failed to even be given a place on the bench.

Now Dacourt is Roma-bound on loan until the end of the season, pending a permanent summer move, with Leeds hopeful of recouping around £6m (€9.2m).

But their need to slash staggering debts and the wage bill has meant they are easy prey, prompting Dacourt’s cut-price move on which Ridsdale said: “Talks are ongoing but I fully expect the deal to be negotiated within the next 24 hours.”

Dacourt’s agent, Bruno Satin, added: “If the two clubs agree something then I will finalise something with Roma regarding personal terms.

“But I hope the clubs come to some sort of arrangement and the deal can go through.”

Capello is already looking to play Dacourt in this Sunday’s league game against Chievo and is confident the player will succeed in Italy.

“He’s a player I have always liked and his style will allow him to quickly fit into the Italian league,” said Capello.

“I would like to have him in the side for our match on Sunday.”

On a day when Venables celebrates his 60th birthday, it remains to be seen whether he will be given cash to start bringing in his own players on the strength of the money coming in from Dacourt in the summer.

Lee Bowyer’s potential departure to West Ham, following his decision not to sign a new five-year contract with Leeds, means a further £500,000 (€767,000) will be saved on wages over the remainder of the season.

It could prove beneficial with Venables having handed a shopping list to Ridsdale, at the top of which stands Brazil World Cup winner Kleberson.

Leeds’ plc have appointed Neil Holloway as a non-executive director of the company following the resignation a week ago of Richard North.

Leeds indicated their intention to strengthen their board at the club’s recent Annual General Meeting, so bringing in Holloway who is managing director of Microsoft’s UK business and vice-president of Microsoft EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa).

Ridsdale added: “I’m delighted we have been able to attract an individual with Neil’s worldwide business knowledge to our board, and I anticipate being able to announce further news of changes to strengthen both the board and management team in the near future.”