Leeds interest still lukewarm

nwl.sport@archant.co.uk
21 June 2006

Dan Shittu beats Ispwich's Sam Parkin to a header

By Ben Kosky

LEEDS United have not yet tabled a formal bid for Danny Shittu, despite reports that the QPR defender is poised for a move to Elland Road.

Shittu has been valued at £3m by Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini, but so far only one firm offer for the player, from Watford, has been made - and immediately rejected.

Although the Yorkshire club have indicated an interest in both Shittu and transfer-listed midfielder Marc Bircham, both players are expected back for pre-season training at Loftus Road next week.

Shittu's agent, Warwick Horton, told the Times: "We hear rumours and read the stories like everyone else, but I've had no contact from QPR to say they've agreed a deal or spoken to any club.

"I think Danny's enjoying his time at QPR, but he is an ambitious player and, like any player in the Championship, he has desires to play at the top level.

"If there was an opportunity for him to move to a Premiership club and they were able to agree a fee with QPR, it's something he would have to consider. But nothing's happened at the moment."

Shittu, 25, has two years remaining on his Rangers contract and has amassed nearly 200 appearances for the club since joining them from Charlton four and a half years ago.

Sheffield United, who inquired about Shittu last season, appear to have shelved their interest, while Birmingham and West Brom - both relegated to the Championship - have also been looking elsewhere for defensive reinforcements.

So far, the only member of the QPR squad that finished last season to have moved to another club is Nigerian defender Ugo Ukah, who joined Italian side Nourese Calcio on a free transfer.

QPR have confirmed they will try to arrange another pre-season friendly for mid-July after their fixture against MK Dons was called off.

Rangers had accepted an invitation to play at the National Hockey Stadium on Saturday July 15 after Brentford cancelled the friendly that had been scheduled for three days later at Griffin Park.

But a small number of QPR fans warned chairman Gianni Paladini that they would cancel their season tickets if the MK Dons match went ahead - and the fixture was scrapped almost immediately.

Fellow Championship side Colchester and Histon, of the Conference South, have also cancelled their scheduled friendlies, due to supporters' anger over the Dons' relocation from Wimbledon to Milton Keynes almost three years ago.