Leeds look to tempt Beckford if they win promotion

SIMON GRAYSON insists Leeds United will make one last effort to keep Jermaine Beckford at the end of the season providing the club have won promotion to the Championship.

The 26-year-old striker can leave on a free transfer in the summer when his contract runs out and sources on Merseyside have already claimed an agreement has been struck over a switch to Everton.

Grayson admits the lure of the Premier League would be hard to beat but United will, nevertheless, launch one last bid to try to keep Beckford.

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He said: "I would have thought we would try to keep him, we would be foolish not to. But we have agreed that it is something to re-address in the summer.

"We have to concentrate on the football right now and I am relaxed about what will happen. I am sure when the season ends and, hopefully we are in the Championship, that there might be one last contract offer."

A more pressing concern for Grayson is the need to strengthen during the current transfer window as the deadlock continued last night over targets Max Gradel and Lee Barnard.

The Elland Road manager is keen to bolster his squad this month after a dip in form since the FA Cup third-round triumph at Manchester United.

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Leicester City winger Gradel and Southend United striker Barnard have both been the subject of unsuccessful bids by Leeds in recent days and Grayson admits the time is fast approaching when the club will have to switch to other targets.

He said: "I would like to get things done sooner rather than later, I don't want to be going into the last few days with one or two deals finely balanced.

"That is why a deadline has been set when we will have to move on. We have plenty of irons in the fire and I would anticipate a couple of new players coming in (before the window closes)."

According to sources in Essex, United's attempts to sign Barnard seem set to end in disappointment after Southampton matched the Yorkshire club's bid of 175,000.

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Southend are keen on the offer from the Saints as it includes one player, believed to be Matthew Paterson, moving to Roots Hall.

In terms of Gradel, Leicester seem determined to try to drive up the price of the 22-year-old who recently enjoyed a successful three-month loan spell with Leeds.

Grayson, who said there was not likely to be any departures at Elland Road this month due to the club's injury problems, said: "People throughout the market might look and think 'it's Leeds, they can afford big transfer fees' but every individual has a price and we would be foolish to go above that amount.

"If clubs think they can hold out for more money, we can go and spend it elsewhere," he added.

Leeds's Johnstone's Paint Trophy Northern Area final second leg at Carlisle on Tuesday, February 9 will be shown live by Sky, meaning it will now kick off at 7pm.