Leeds chairman Ken Bates has rejected Newcastle's £1.25million bid for Jermaine Beckford in a desperate effort to keep the striker at Elland Road, reports the Daily Mirror. Bates wants Beckford to stay at Elland Road for the rest of the season and help secure Simon Grayson's side promotion to the Championship.
However, Beckford is desperate to secure a move to St James' Park and Bates has told the Magpies to double their initial offer.