Reid defiant as Dacourt departs

Leeds boss Peter Reid insists he is only interested in keeping players who will “wear the shirt with pride” after Olivier Dacourt last night joined the Elland Road exodus.

Dacourt finally completed a permanent move to Serie A side Roma for £3.5m (€5.05m) – a considerable reduction on the £15.5m (€22.6m) fee which was touted 18 months ago when Lazio expressed an interest in the France midfielder.

That followed on from Harry Kewell’s controversial cut-price £5m (€7.2m) transfer to Liverpool, which earned Leeds just £3m (€4.3m) after a payment to the management company looking after the Australia winger.

“It’s back to the basics, I don’t want anyone here who doesn’t want to play for the club,” Reid told United’s official website, www.leedsunited.com.

“It’s no use trying to change minds, you have to be committed and wanting to play and wear the shirt with pride.

“We have players here with a lot of ability and we are trying to get more players with ability, but they have to want to play for Leeds United.”

However, Reid is unlikely to get too much money to spend as the last two deals will not do much to reduce the club’s reported debt of around £80m (€115m).

The Kewell saga is likely to rumble on for some time as inquests are held into how the star was allowed to leave so cheaply, while although Dacourt’s departure means his wages have been removed from the Leeds wage bill the club have got a fraction of his reputed worth.

So depressed is the transfer market, and such is Leeds’ predicament, that Roma were even able to successfully haggle over the price they agreed with the Premiership club when Dacourt made his initial loan switch last season.

It was believed the two clubs had struck a deal worth £4.2m (€6.06m) six months ago but when Roma’s first option on the player expired in May and no other club came in, the Italians used this to their advantage to knock a further £700,000 (€1m) off the price.

There had been suggestions Roma were looking for a money-plus-players package, with the likes of Luigi Sartor, Giovanni Guigou and Davide Bombardini to be offered in part exchange, but for Leeds that option was a non-starter.

And if Reid believes he will have some money to spend this summer he might have to think again as Roma’s payments will be made in four instalments, the first due in 10 days’ time.

Dacourt impressed during his 18 appearances for Roma last season and has agreed a three-year contract.

He joined Leeds for £7.2m (€10.4m) from Lens in May 2000 and has also previously played for their Premiership rivals Everton and Strasbourg.