Magpies' Delph bid rejected

Delph: Premier League interest

I'm still amazed at a recent offer Newcastle made for Fabian.

Ken Bates
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Ken Bates has confirmed Leeds United rejected a recent bid from Newcastle United for starlet Fabian Delph.

The 18-year-old Whites midfielder has attracted interest from Premier League clubs following a string of fine displays in his breakthrough season with the League One outfit.

Arsenal have been constantly linked with a bid for the England Under-19 international, but chairman Bates says The Magpies have already made a move for the talented youngster.

Amazed

"I'm still amazed at a recent offer Newcastle made for Fabian," he told Yorkshire Radio. "I won't tell you the content of the fax we sent back but it did end the conversation.

"It's inevitable if the team does well predatory upper league clubs will try their luck without success.

"Fabian Delph will be moving to Premier League - but we hope he'll be moving with us via the Championship.

"He signed a four-year contract until 2012 and he doesn't want to go anywhere."

Rule out

Meanwhile, Bates is refusing to rule out selling out-of-favour Bradley Johnson when the transfer window reopens in January.

Johnson, who is currently enjoying a successful loan spell with Brighton, has been linked with Championship clubs QPR, Cardiff and Southampton

"One of the clubs reportedly interested in Bradley couldn't do anything anyway," he continued.

"Gary McAllister will look at where he feels he needs to strengthen and what players are surplus to requirements."