Fri Jul 08, 2011 9:14 am
By James Shield Sheffield United
Published on Friday 8 July 2011 09:50
LEEDS could face competition from Queens Park Rangers and Cardiff City if they want to sign Sheffield United’s Nick Montgomery, The Star understands.
Montgomery, Bramall Lane’s longest serving player, was coveted by Simon Grayson’s side last summer before opting to remain in South Yorkshire.
United’s relegation from the Championship has re-ignited interest at Elland Road in acquiring the midfielder’s services.
But QPR are also believed to be monitoring Montgomery’s situation after being promoted to the Premier League.
Paddy Kenny, the 29-year-old’s former teammate at United, was instrumental in helping the Londoners’ reach English football’s top-flight.
Montgomery, however, expects to join Danny Wilson’s squad at next week’s warm-weather training camp on the island of Malta, with his future unlikely to be resolved until the closing stages of the transfer window.
Despite selling striker Darius Henderson to Millwall, United are believed to still be waiting to receive firm offers for other key names such as Ched Evans and Stephen Quinn.
Neil Warnock, who took charge of QPR in March 2010, handed Montgomery his professional debut at Bramall Lane 11 years ago.
Cardiff were also preparing a bid for Montgomery before sacking Dave Jones. Malky Mackay, who recently succeeded the Liverpudlian in Wales, shares Warnock’s faith but reportedly has more pressing concerns in the transfer market.
Exactly where Montgomery features on QPR and Leeds’ list of priorities has yet to be confirmed.
Ken Bates, the latter’s chairman, recently said: “Nobody is leaving Leeds United, We have had one offer for a player and we said ‘no’ ... our aim this year is to get into the Premier League.”