By Gary Spate
June 16 2003

LEEDS United chairman Professor John McKenzie has conceded that it would be better if the club sold Harry Kewell now rather than losing him through the Bosman in a year's time. Cash-strapped Leeds are worried that a similar scenario to that of Lee Bowyer's departure last year for a nominal fee could be repeated should Kewell sit out the remainder of his contract.

"With Harry we can't afford another Lee Bowyer situation. If he doesn't sign a new contract we'll get nothing in a year's time," McKenzie told the Sunday Mirror. "It would be better to have Jermaine Pennant (from Arsenal) and some money in rather than finish up with nothing."

He added: "We absolutely don't want the Bowyer scenario again. I need some clarity from Kewell and his agent on that.

"Clearly we need some money to spend on additions to the current squad. And Peter Reid (Leeds boss) quite fancies young Pennant."