Leeds United midfielder Lee Bowyer was last night placed on the transfer list after rejecting a five-year deal believed to be worth £40,000 a week. Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City, are all believed to be keen to snap him up for around £15 million.
"Lee Bowyer has made the decision to turn down the contract although his accountant has informed us that the terms of the contract were not the issue," said Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale. "It is simply that Lee wants his career to move on." Ridsdale added: "It is very disappointing considering the offer made by the club and the support we have given him during 30 turbulent months."
Bowyer was acquitted of assaulting a student in a highly-publicised case.
Sunderland yesterday put eight players on the transfer list as Peter Reid tries to rebuild a side that finished a single place away from relegation. French striker Lilian Laslandes, who scored one goal after signing last summer from Bordeaux for £3.6 million and was swiftly sent on loan to Cologne, heads the list.
Swedish international Stefan Schwarz is also surplus to requirements, as are Slovakian international Stanislave Varga, the midfielder Bernt Haas and the reserve goalkeeper Jurgen Macho.
Manchester City are to open talks with the Argentinian striker Vicente Matias Vuoso this weekend. The 20-year-old Independiente striker would cost around £4 million. The move would not jeopardise the club's pursuit of Nicolas Anelka.
Newcastle are hoping to sign the Ipswich's Titus Bramble if the defender can prove his fitness.
Scotland's First Minister Jack McConnell says the impact of the handling of the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen in Glasgow last week has boosted hopes of clinching the UEFA vote for the championships in the Republic of Ireland and Scotland.
"The UEFA delegation went away on Friday morning feeling great and that coincided with the Irish general election and Bertie (Ahern) getting a good result," said McConnell.
He said there would be "an excellent bid document" next week.
