Leeds fail with new Healy bid

Preston have rejected a fourth bid worth up to £600,000 (€866,8000) from Leeds for Northern Ireland striker David Healy.

Healy is in the final year of his contract at Deepdale but Preston are reluctant to sell the player who cost them £1.5m (€2.2m) from Manchester United three years ago below their valuation.

Leeds claim Healy wants to move to Elland Road but are now set to take their search for a new goalscorer elsewhere.

“We put what we considered to be a very attractive deal on the table, which was rejected even though Preston stand to lose David for nothing in three months’ time,” said Leeds spokesman Bryan Morris.

“The player wants to come to Elland Road. However, considering our current circumstances, there’s not very much more we can do.

“Regrettably, it’s looking increasingly likely that we’ll have to look elsewhere to solve our striking problems.”

Preston chairman Derek Shaw insists Leeds’ latest offer does not meet their valuation of the 25-year-old and they will not be pressurised into lowering it.

“Contact was made on Saturday and further talks continued on Sunday late into the night,” said Shaw.

“They came out with a figure but it did not match my valuation of what the player is worth. There has been three weeks’ worth of media games but let me state that the figures which have been mentioned have been unacceptable so far.

“We have reluctantly entered into these talks but there has not been a yes or a no. We have said what we want for the player and they will have to match it.”