With contract talks hardly moving quickly and reported Premier League interest in the wings, will Johnny Howson be the next big move out of Elland Road?

First there was Beckford, then followed Johnson, Kilkenny, Schmeichel and Gradel.

Will Johnny Howson be the next big move out of ER?

It is no secret that the midfielder's present deal runs out next summer and Simon Grayson appeared to be at pains recently to admit that Howson and his advisors had not responded to a new-deal offered over one month ago.

With reported interest from Premiership strugglers Bolton and Blackburn, is Howson biding his time?

After all, we were in a similar situation with Luciano Becchio about 12 months ago and the Argentine penned a new-contract in the wake of speculation he was running his deal down and ready to move on.

As Howson is a home-grown player, under the Bosman we will still be able to get a fee of sorts if he does move.

Although named as captain this season and one of the first names on the team-sheet, Howson's performances have generally been subdued this season.

He is operating in the centre of a four man midfield whereas many feel his best position is in "the hole" between midfield and a loan-forward.

However with so many strikers on the books and our reasonable run of form of late, playing a five-man midfield and a solitary forward seems a long-way off.

Maybe we will cash in on him. Maybe the silence from his end will be viewed ala Schmeichel and Gradel's scenario and the club propaganda machine will be poised to churn out more reasons why we had to sell.

As he is one of us, the PR people will clearly have their work cut out if he doesnt sign this time.

Photo: Action Images

leedshippriest added 23:08 - Oct 10 Keep Howson, no point in cashing in on anyone, it's not like the old sod Bates will let Larry have the money to spend on players is it
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leedshippriest added 23:10 - Oct 10 Forgot to add, we can only hope that Bates, will swallow a reality pill, and stop the club hemorrhaging it's better players for free, and sign up Howson on an improved deal. http://www.lufcchat.com/leeds-united-news-gossip-and-utter-garbage/howsonwillhes
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