Leeds say they won't sell Smith
LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Leeds United will not sell striker Alan Smith despite their financial difficulties, a club spokesman said.
The Premier League club have until Monday to find the $9.23 million they need to cover their operating costs until the end of the season after agreeing a reprieve with creditors, who are owed almost $150 million.
"Alan Smith is not for sale," said spokesman Don Warters.
Leeds were left with few options after creditors rejected a five-million-pound offer from a consortium put together by former deputy chairman Allan Leighton.
Chief executive Trevor Birch met with players earlier this week to discuss deferring 30 percent of their wages in an attempt to save five million pounds.
Newspaper reports on Thursday said the players had rejected the idea and that they would rather top assets such as Smith and Mark Viduka be sold to make up the shortfall.
Smith, an England international, has been linked with a move to Newcastle United, while Tottenham Hotspur are reported to have made a five-million-pound bid for goalkeeper Paul Robinson and Norway midfielder Eirik Bakke.
Wage deferrals
In a statement on the club's Web site on Thursday the players denied that they had decided against wage deferrals.
"We wish to make it clear that we are fully behind the club and are working with Trevor Birch and the Professional Footballers Association in the hope of solving the problems," the statement read.
"Some of the reports we have read in the newspapers are wrong. We are together as a team and no decision has yet been made one way or the other on whether to defer a percentage of our wages.
"We have said that we will be prepared to support the club, should it be required."
One player who seems certain to leave the Elland Road club is defender Roque Junior after the club terminated his contract on Thursday.
The Brazilian, who joined Leeds for one season from AC Milan in August, is said to be seeking a return to Italy.
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