Leeds United have placed midfielder Lee Bowyer on the transfer list after he turned down the club's offer of a five-year contract believed to be worth £2 million per year.
Bowyer has been negotiating with the club since December but talks broke down this week after he rejected a deal that would have seen him stay at Elland Road until 2007.
After being informed of the news by Bowyer's accountant David Geiss, Leeds Chairman Peter Ridsdale said he would reluctantly listen to offers for the £15 million-rated youngster and revealed that money had not been a factor in his decision.
"David Geiss has informed us that the terms of the contract are not the issue but that Lee has made the career decision to move on," Ridsdale told the club's official web-site.
"With Lee having one year remaining on his current agreement, the club has no alternative but to place him on the transfer list with immediate effect.
"This initiative has been taken with great reluctance. Given the contract offered by the club, which would have elevated Lee to the elite of the highest paid players at Leeds United, and given the support the club has shown Lee during the past turbulent 30 months, we are disappointed to have this reached this juncture.
"We are surprised that this is the outcome after months of what appeared to be positive talks."
Bowyer's decision to turn his back on the club comes despite their continued support during his trial and acquittal of causing grievous bodily harm in relation to an assault on Asian teenager Sarfraz Najeib in January 2000.
The former England Under-21 star has been linked with Liverpool while Arsenal could also be in the running for his signature.
IMO would be a great signing for the blues
Another mentioned player is Maccarone who would be a great signing
Bowyer has been negotiating with the club since December but talks broke down this week after he rejected a deal that would have seen him stay at Elland Road until 2007.
After being informed of the news by Bowyer's accountant David Geiss, Leeds Chairman Peter Ridsdale said he would reluctantly listen to offers for the £15 million-rated youngster and revealed that money had not been a factor in his decision.
"David Geiss has informed us that the terms of the contract are not the issue but that Lee has made the career decision to move on," Ridsdale told the club's official web-site.
"With Lee having one year remaining on his current agreement, the club has no alternative but to place him on the transfer list with immediate effect.
"This initiative has been taken with great reluctance. Given the contract offered by the club, which would have elevated Lee to the elite of the highest paid players at Leeds United, and given the support the club has shown Lee during the past turbulent 30 months, we are disappointed to have this reached this juncture.
"We are surprised that this is the outcome after months of what appeared to be positive talks."
Bowyer's decision to turn his back on the club comes despite their continued support during his trial and acquittal of causing grievous bodily harm in relation to an assault on Asian teenager Sarfraz Najeib in January 2000.
The former England Under-21 star has been linked with Liverpool while Arsenal could also be in the running for his signature.
IMO would be a great signing for the blues
Another mentioned player is Maccarone who would be a great signing 
