Help Sitemap Home Skip Navigation Contact Us Disability Statement

Get Sheffield Working

We're keen to keep Killa

Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image

Published Date: 26 June 2009
By James Shield
SHEFFIELD United manager Kevin Blackwell is "optimistic" that Matthew Kilgallon will remain at Bramall Lane next season.
The centre-half's future has been shrouded in doubt since it emerged that a host of Premier League clubs, including Roberto Martinez's Wigan Athletic, are investigating the possibility of luring him away from South Yorkshire.

He was an integral member of a back four which helped United reach last season's Championship play-off final, and the club are keen for Kilgallon to extend the three-and-a-half year contract he signed in January 2007.

Blackwell said: "I have held preliminary talks with Matt and those negotiations will continue when I return from holiday next week.

"Of course I want him to stay, and I am optimistic that he will."

Although an earlier meeting with Kilgallon and his representative reportedly failed to achieve the desired result, United are determined that one of the division's most formidable defences should remain intact when they travel to Middlesbrough on August 8.

Birmingham, who on Wednesday evening announced they had finally brokered a deal to buy Cardiff City's Roger Johnson, had emerged as Kilgallon's most persistent admirers.

But Johnson's arrival at St Andrews could mark the end of their interest.

Wolves are also monitoring the situation closely.

With Leeds able to claim 20 per cent of any future transfer, Black-well's board of directors are likely to demand a substantial return on their initial investment if agreement for him to stay can not be struck.

United fans can join the team in Malta next month after the club unveiled details of travel packages to coincidce with their pre-season visit to the island. Prices start from £469 per person for a seven-night stay.


What do you think? Add your comment below.

FREE E-MAG: Click here to read our Twenty20 Cup 2009 e-mag for FREE on line.

BUY ONLINE: Buy The Star - Monday to Saturday - for local news, sport, features and ads. Sign up on line by clicking here.

READ MORE
Main news index
Your letters
Features
South Yorkshire's environmental news
Kids Zone
More business news
More Rotherham news
More Doncaster news
More Barnsley news
Latest sport


Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 26 June 2009 8:29 AM
  • Source: Sheffield Star
  • Location: Sheffield
 
Prev
1
Next
1

IwishIcouldEmigrate,

Darnall Lad 26/06/2009 10:34:12
First I have heard of this 20% clause. Seems rediculous to me when when paid nearly £2million for a centre back who spent alot of his time at Leeds playing left back.
Said it before but it still applies. Would sooner any money we have spent on keeping key performers like Killa, Paddy, Kyles etc here and happy with new contracts than speculating it on transfer fees (and parasite agents!) for players who may or may not perform and have no loyalty to the club. If the scouts (and affiliations with Brazil etc) are any good we should be in a position to always acquire additional good players we need (a la Ward), let alone all those players supposedly coming here on free transfers because of the much mentioned (at the Lane anyway) credit crunch.
Prev
1
Next

 

Comment on this Story

 

In order to post comments you must Register or Sign In

 
 
RSS Feed of this article's comments
Delivery formats: RSS, Atom, Javascript & Email
 
 


Sister Newspapers:
Press Complaints Commission

This website and its associated newspaper adheres to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then contact the Editor by clicking here.

If you remain dissatisfied with the response provided then you can contact the PCC by clicking here.