January transfer window: Beckford to Newcastle United, Gradel and Martin TSS December 30, 2009 Leeds United 36 Comments With the transfer window due to open in just two days Simon Grayson may well be planning for life after Jermaine Beckford. Our number one striker has been the subject of much debate over the last week or so as the Newcastle United manager revealed he is looking into the possibility of signing Becks. Leeds have maintained all along that Beckford will remain with Leeds until the summer unless a ‘ridiculous offer’ comes in. Whilst I’ve been adamant no club would be stupid enough to pay over the odds for a striker with less than six months remaining on his contract, this is Newcastle and if any club could graduate from the school of Peter Ridsdale financial management with honours, it’d undoubtedly be them. That said, I guess it’s a case of what Leeds United want for Beckford. If it’s only £2-3m and not the £6m previously quoted, then it could be worth a punt for the Toon. If he can score enough goals to get them back to the Premiership, then he’d be worth every penny, but at the same time, what use is £2-3m to Leeds if we’re going to lose the only player capable of 30 goals a season? I’ve been pretty convinced that Beckford will remain with Leeds United until the end of the season, but my feelings have changed since Hughton revealed his plans. If he does go, then Grayson will definitely be in the market to replace the goals he contributed and starting with Max Gradel is a good idea. Simon Grayson has already extended Max Gradel’s loan to the 17th of January, bringing it to the maximum number of days allowed by Football League rules. Leicester have not allowed Max to participate in the FA Cup tie against Manchester United though, which is a bit of a shame as the lads performed well for us and the rest of the team will be talking about nothing else. Hopefully, the extension is simply to give Grayson more time to secure Gradel on a permanent transfer. If Beckford is to leave, then Gradel would be a good start to replacing those valuable goals. Finally, it seems Grayson is also trying to secure a long term deal with Liverpool keeper, David Martin. Leeds and Liverpool have already agreed to extend his current loan deal until the end of January, but the player could be around for much longer if Grayson gets his wish. Only 23 years old and with plenty of potential, this is a good move from Simon Grayson who is clearly thinking long-term.