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Contract length the key in Rui Marques talks
Leeds United and Rui Marques are at odds over the length of the new contract being sought by the Angolan international, the YEP can reveal.
United withdrew from negotiations with Marques' advisors on Tuesday after failing to reach agreement over an extension to Marques' deal at Elland Road.
The centre-back is seeking a three-year contract to replace the 12-month deal which expires at the end of this season but Leeds are thought to be unwilling to stretch beyond a two-year agreement.
Marques turned 30 in September and would be approaching the age of 34 by the time a three-year deal expired, and United have opted to delay further discussions until after the League One season concludes next month.
Leeds revealed in a statement that "differences in valuation" had led to their decision to suspend discussions with Marques' representatives, and sources at Elland Road have indicated that the player's wage demands are contributing to the deadlock.
United also confirmed that they were aware of rumours suggesting other clubs were queuing up to bid for Marques when his current deal ends in the summer, but despite the various links – including claims of interest from Watford and Crystal Palace – the defender is not thought to have received any firm offers from elsewhere.
It is anticipated, however, that opportunities in the Championship will be forthcoming when the issues of promotion and relegation from the division are resolved.
Marques will be eligible to leave Elland Road on a free transfer if United fail to conclude contract talks successfully, but the club are still hopeful of reaching an agreement which will extend Marques' career with Leeds into a fourth season.
In their statement issued on Tuesday, United said: "The club had hoped that Rui's future would have been secured by now.
"However, the respective differences in valuation, influenced by alleged interest from clubs already in the Championship, have seen us not achieve our aim.
"We still remain positive that we will be able to retain the player's services when we know what division we are going to be playing in."Marques has been absent from Gary McAllister's squad for two matches with a hamstring strain, but he has been an influential member of United's first team for most of the League One season.
His form earned him a place in Angola's squad for the African Cup of Nations in January and contract talks were quickly initiated, on McAllister's advice, when the player returned to England.
The suspension of talks was in part a result of Leeds' looking to prevent negotiations from creating a distraction for Marques in the final stages of their promotion battle.
And discussions are expected to recommence shortly after the season concludes.
United's statement added: "The removal of contract extension discussions from the agenda will allow Rui to concentrate on winning his place back in the team after recovering from injury and then making a positive contribution as the club looks towards gaining promotion to the Championship."
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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