Bates already on the defensive with wage demands

Leeds United chairman Ken Bates has labelled the demands of one of the current Leeds squad that has been offered a new deal as ridiculous.

Bates refused to name the player in his weekly interview of Yorkshire Radio but he says that agents will need to get real with their demands in the current economic climate.

Speaking on Yorkshire Radio, Bates said, "There is one individual whose agent has demanded £15,000 a week for him. That is £780,000 a year and with taxes, you are looking at nearly £900,000 a year, for a footballer in the championship.

"That is the equivalent of the gate receipts from four home games in a season. It is ridiculous, good luck to the guy if he gets it elsewhere.

"All the chairmen I have been speaking too in the last few months are all cutting back. As we point out, there is a recession and we have the fans writing in to complain about the pricing. It seems that player`s agents seem to think they are immune to this information.

"They will learn this summer. We have a squad of 30, we intend to cut it to 21-22, and we intend to get value for money. Fans are entitled to it and it is all we can afford." "

Leeds boss Neil Warnock started his summer clear out today by releasing five players and transfer listing another six. Amongst those placed on the transfer list is midfielder Adam Clayton who has turned down the offer of a new contract with the club.




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