Reid defiant as Dacourt leaves Leeds

Leeds boss Peter Reid insists he is only interested in keeping players who will "wear the shirt with pride" after Olivier Dacourt…

Leeds boss Peter Reid insists he is only interested in keeping players who will "wear the shirt with pride" after Olivier Dacourt last night joined the Elland Road exodus.

Dacourt finally completed a permanent move to Serie A side Roma for £3.5 million sterling - a considerable reduction on the £15.5 million that was touted 18 months ago when Lazio expressed an interest in the France midfielder.

That followed on from Harry Kewell's controversial cut-price £5 million transfer to Liverpool, which earned Leeds just £3 million after a payment to the management company looking after the Australia winger.

"It's back to the basics, I don't want anyone here who doesn't want to play for the club," Reid told United's official website, www.leedsunited.com.

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"It's no use trying to change minds, you have to be committed and wanting to play and wear the shirt with pride. We have players here with a lot of ability and we are trying to get more players with ability, but they have to want to play for Leeds United".

However, Reid is unlikely to get too much money to spend as the last two deals will not do much to reduce the club's reported debt of around £80 million.