Two clubs interested in Bowyer

Lee Bowyer moved a step nearer to leaving Leeds yesterday after the club's chairman, Peter Ridsdale, said that he had already received two enquiries regarding the transfer-listed midfielder.

Bowyer was put up for sale by Leeds on Tuesday after deciding he would not pay a fine of four weeks' wages for being drunk on the night the Asian student Sarfraz Najeib was assaulted. Although Bowyer was found not guilty of affray and grievous bodily harm in relation to the attack on Najeib, the 24-year-old was found to have breached Leeds' code of conduct.

It is believed that Bowyer would like to return to his native London and, with Leeds breaching Professional Footballers' Association guidelines that players should be fined no more than a fortnight's pay, he seemingly has a get-out clause.

Tottenham are reputed to be favourites to sign him, while Chelsea and Arsenal might also be interested in one of English football's most skilful players.

"Lee Bowyer is a tremendously talented footballer, but what we have to do is make sure his behaviour on and off the field reflects the skill he has," Ridsdale said. "I've spoken to his agent on numerous occasions in the last 24 hours, while I also spoke to Lee three times personally yesterday and again at the training ground this morning.

"There seems to be a misunderstanding as to what we are saying, which is that if Lee accepts the disciplinary action he can remain a Leeds United player and play for us, but if he doesn't then he will be transfer-listed.

"People are now suggesting I'm climbing down, but the position has not changed, and I sincerely believe that over the next 48 hours Lee will acknowledge that it is right and proper for us to take disciplinary action.

"Until such time as we resolve matters with Lee then this will run and run, but I can say we've had two phone calls from representatives of Premiership clubs enquiring as to what the position is. But I've had no formal offers at this stage."

Ridsdale conceded that he was not "the most popular person at Leeds United", admitting that he has received numerous letters, with the reaction being "very mixed".

The PFA chief executive, Gordon Taylor, is unhappy with Leeds for taking matters into their own hands and imposing fines without consultation with his organisation, said: "It would have been good if we had become involved beforehand. It's no use saying there are going to be any winners. This is a mess and we are trying to resolve it, but it's not going to be easy.

"Lee has asked for 48 hours to calmly reflect on the situation and his future and we've given him that time to think about it rather than acting in haste. We hope that it can be resolved, but as for it being satisfactory, it can never be that."

Bowyer has been told his hoped-for England career is not in jeopardy in the wake of his dispute with the club. A debut call-up for the friendly with the Netherlands in Amsterdam on 13 February is possible, and it is believed that the Football Association is unperturbed by Bowyer's latest problems.