Historical article from BBC - dated 24 June 2003

[Jezzman]

This article was posted on the Danish forum and it really is quite an example of just how little the media knows when it comes to transfers :D

 

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2996940.stm

Last Updated: Tuesday, 24 June, 2003, 11:05 GMT 12:05 UK

 

Kewell poised for move

By Phil McNulty

Chief football writer

 

Leeds United's Harry Kewell is finally poised to decide his future - with Arsenal in pole position to clinch a £7m deal.

 

Elland Road officials are now virtually resigned to losing the Australian - and Kewell's representative confirmed to BBC Sport that he expects him to announce his next move by 30 June.

 

Barcelona had made a move for Kewell as a potential replacement for Marc Overmars, but the Holland winger is now expected to stay at the Nou Camp after fellow countryman Frank Rijkaard was named as coach.

 

Manchester United had also been linked with a late move for Kewell, but BBC Sport understands they have yet to make any official approach for the Australian.

 

Kewell's agent Bernie Mandic confirmed to this website: "I stand by what I have said all along, and that is that I expect Harry's future to be sorted out by the end of the month."

 

No deal has yet been done with any club, leaving the door open for a potential last-minute move.

 

Leeds will wait to discover Kewell's intentions before attempting to strike a deal, with Arsenal believed to prefer an exchange involving Jermaine Pennant or Ray Parlour plus £4m cash.

 

Kewell has held discussions with Leeds chairman John McKenzie about extending his current contract, which runs out at the end of next season.

 

McKenzie has made it clear Leeds will make every attempt to ensure Kewell is not allowed to leave on a free transfer.

 

"If someone makes a reasonable offer formally then he will have to make up his mind," said McKenzie.

 

"He's either going to sign up to a new contract or we will let him go if a good deal can be done."

 

Leeds are still waiting to discover if Aston Villa will return with an increased offer for goalkeeper Paul Robinson after a £3m bid was turned down.

[Tosh]

To think, Leeds could have had £4m, plus pennant or parlour

 

As it was, they got £3m

[allez les rouges]

To think, Leeds could have had £4m, plus pennant or parlour

 

As it was, they got £3m

 

It was harrys' decision to come to us. leeds had more money on the table from all the clubs than we offered. player power.

[fyds]

harrys' contract was up. so leeds in there position HAD to sell. If harry had said that its Liverpool or no one (which is probably what he did) then leeds could lose him on a free.

 

Owen had a few years left on his contract, and madrid were getting good service out him. Madrid didnt have to sell, owen HAD to leave becuase of the way he values the england team.

 

consequently with liverpool being 8m away, and with him valuing the world cup so much, then he had no other option but to go to newcastle as theres was teh only bid.

 

another thing to remember in teh owen saga is that the window was closing in a matter of hours. Liverpool were 8 million pounds away from an acceptable bid. if it was a 500k or something, then he could have told madrid "liverpool or no one" but he couldnt.

He could very easily have told them it was Liverpool or no-one. Just as Baros didn't want to go yo Lyon where the difference was £3m - and Madrid wanted him gone and off the wages list to assist with paying Robinho and Baptista. Owen bottled it - and has admitted as much.

[RP]

 

Owen had a few years left on his contract, and madrid were getting good service out him. Madrid didnt have to sell, owen HAD to leave becuase of the way he values the england team.

 

 

It really is a day for internet myths isn't it?

[owenthomas]

this is going to turn into another full scale Michael Owen thread..

[stressederic]

From Kewell to Owen in just 4 posts.

 

 

Has to be some sort of record.

[owenthomas]

i was thinking the original thread was started to show how the media can get it wrong and so therefore we are actually going to get Theo Walcott (Kewell to Arsenal? no to Liverpool.. Theo to Arsenal? no to Liverpool) yet it went astray.. no-one bit on that!..

 

i reckon i'll start a thread about the new stadium so we can talk about Michael Owen..

[Guest BigChief]

This article was posted on the Danish forum and it really is quite an example of just how little the media knows when it comes to transfers :D

 

You misspelt hysterical in your thread heading.

[allez les rouges]

It really is a day for internet myths isn't it?

 

was it not his prime motivation for leaving? he has admitted since he moved. he said he couldnt sit on the bench in the world cup year.

 

where is the myth?

[R A Softlad]

Leeds will wait to discover Kewell's intentions before attempting to strike a deal, with Arsenal believed to prefer an exchange involving Jermaine Pennant or Ray Parlour plus £4m cash.

 

Walcott should look at how Pennant was treated by Arsenal before signing anything...

[Guz]

I cant remember exactly what happened? Were we the only club to be dealing with his agent who got a wedge of the pie while everyone else were concerned with the club? Memory has totally gone as to how we snuck in so quietly .

[R A Softlad]

Harry's agent was told by Leeds in writing that he could go for £5m. Kewell's agent knew Harry's dream move was to LFC and brokered it with Houllier & Parry. We paid Leeds £5m and they owed Kewell's agent in the region of £2m.