Kleberson deal in doubt as Fowler move folds

Robbie Fowler's move to Manchester City was called off last night after the pay-as-you-play deal left both the striker and hard-up Leeds United unhappy.

The 27-year-old England international came through a medical at Maine Road but worries about an old hip injury meant that City wanted the move to be re-negotiated, with a down payment and money paid per game. Fowler has not played a full 90 minutes since the problem arose and that put worries in the minds of City officials.

City were prepared to come up with the agreed £7m fee, but wanted to structure it in a new way, with payments after Fowler had made certain numbers of appearances. However Leeds, who need the money to fund their own signings, refused the deal and left their transfer plans – and City's – in a state of disarray.

Fowler, too, was unhappy that City wanted to restructure the deal as it cast doubts about his fitness so late in the transfer. The former Liverpool striker was first to break ranks and reveal the move was off, and his agent George Scott said: "He had time to reflect on the deal and realised it was not the deal for him, although he was flattered by Kevin Keegan's interest."

The City chairman, Howard Bernstein, said: "Everything was more or less in place. This came as quite a surprise. We had a conversation with Robbie's agent this morning, things seemed to be going OK but then things went rather quiet.

"Then I had that call, rather out of the blue, to tell me Robbie wasn't coming." There may be more talks, but City know they are in a strong position and will try to push the price down. The Fowler sale has to go through for Leeds to buy.

Club officials from Leeds were in Brazil yesterday to complete the signing of the midfielder Kleberson, but this may now also fall through. Leeds are prepared to pay the £3.5m for Kleberson in instalments. However without the Fowler cash they may not be able to complete the deal.

Kleberson said last night that he still hoped to join Leeds, but the Atletico Paranaense president Mario Celsa Petraglia said the two clubs were "far from reaching agreement".

Leeds' director of public relations and corporate affairs, David Walker, met the Atletico president Mario Celsa Petraglia in Brazil on Wednesday to discuss the prospect of a move for the 23-year-old. Leeds said the talks had been positive but some issues had not been resolved.

Kleberson has still got his heart set on a move to Elland Road, however, saying: "I would very much like to join Leeds United. I know that English football is very strong and I am interested in playing there. I am meeting with the [Atletico] president this afternoon in order to discuss this matter."

But Petraglia said Leeds and Atletico were still some way apart on a fee for the player. "We met yesterday with the Leeds representative, there was an offer, we were far from reaching an agreement," he said.

"Leeds' representatives said they would return to England discuss it with the president [the Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale] and then they will contact us."