Gregan 'will go for right price'

Sean Gregan is set to leave West Brom after the club accepted a transfer request today.

Just four days ahead of West Brom’s Barclays Premiership opener at Blackburn, boss Gary Megson now looks set to lose his skipper, although the Baggies want West Ham’s Michael Carrick as a replacement.

The 30-year-old was a big influence in the club’s return to the top flight, playing 43 games as Albion finished as runners up to Norwich.

But Gregan, despite having played more than 80 games since a £1.75m (€2.6m) move from Preston two years ago, is now worried about his Hawthorns future and is looking to move.

Leeds are leading the chase as manager Kevin Blackwell has expressed an interest in Gregan and is keen to add him to the United squad, but money could prove a problem.

West Brom are under no pressure to sell and will not let Gregan go cheaply, according to chairman Jeremy Peace. The player has a year left on his current contract with a one-year extension option.

Blackwell made Leeds’ first cash signing for two years with his £200,000 (€298,900) capture of Stephen Crainey from Southampton but West Brom’s demands could prove beyond his budget.

Peace said: “Sean has stated he wants to leave us because he doesn’t feel he will get adequate first-team opportunities next season and wants regular football elsewhere.

“Therefore, the board has reluctantly accepted his written transfer request.

“Sean has figured in 81 of our last 86 competitive games and his contribution as captain to our promotion success last season, particularly during the final weeks, was vital.”

Speaking to the club website, Peace added: “Having paid £1.75m (€2.6m) to sign Sean only two years ago, we will only let him go if we receive an acceptable offer.”