Aston Villa bid for Fabian Delph rejected by Leeds

10 July 2009 09:52
The 19-year-old midfielder fits Villa manager Martin O'Neill's policy of home grown talent and would make a suitable replacement for the recently departed Gareth Barry, but it appears Leeds are eager to hold off Premier League interest for as long as possible. Everton are also believed to have made an offer though Leeds would not confirm which clubs had made contact. "Leeds United can confirm that we have received offers direct from two Premier League clubs for Fabian Delph," the statement read. "The offers have been rejected. It is not the club's policy to comment on speculation. However, in these circumstances we felt it appropriate to clarify the situation." There remains, however, a chance that the England U21 international will be moving this summer after Leeds manager Simon Grayson told the Daily Mail: "There have been lots of enquiries but we want to keep hold of Fabian. Then again every player has a price. Manchester United got a good price for Cristiano Ronaldo. "No one expected Fabian to leave six months ago but in football that happens. He's a talented player and you can't get away from the fact that there are going to be some Premier League clubs enquiring about him. But he's under contract and any decision on players leaving the club has to be the right decision for us and the player as well." Leeds chairman Ken Bates is understood to have turned down two offers for Delph in January from unnamed suitors and he now claims it would take an offer in excess of £6 million to land the midfielder.

Source: Telegraph