COVENTRY City target Jermaine Beckford has warned current employers Leeds United he could run down his contract and leave Elland Road for nothing next summer.
The want-away striker has decided toplay hardball with the Elland Road club after being slapped on thetransfer list when he refused to sign a new deal last month.
Beckford, who scored 34 goals last season, is being targeted by several Championship clubs including the Sky Blues, who are desperate to sign a forward capable of producing over 20 goals a season.
Beckford has 12 months left on his current deal and his agent Nick Ruberry said: "Jermaine won't consider anything other than a top-end Championship club or a Premier League club because Leeds are still a huge side.
"If he needs to, he will stay at Leeds for another year."
On the possibility of a switch to the Ricoh, a source close to player suggested City were still very much in the running for his signature.
Jermaine considers Coventry to be a club that is going places, said the source.
It has a good stadium, good crowds, a good owner and good manager, so everything is there and he definitely considers it to be a top end Championship club.
City are yet to make a bid for the centre forward rated in excess of £1million who scored an outstanding 34 goals for the League One club in all competitions last season. United are insisting on a fixed price for the 25-year-old who has turned down a new three-year contract at Elland Road and is expected to move on this summer with his existing deal about to enter its final 12 months.
Several clubs are reported to be keen on recruiting Beckford other than City, including Newcastle and Middlesbrough but United have not received anofficial offer since transfer-listing him.
The player will only leave Leeds if the club receive their asking price and United are prepared to risk losing him on a free transfer next summer should an acceptable bid fail to arrive.
MEANWHILE, Sky Blues have drawn League One outfit Hartlepool United in Round 1 of the 2009/10 Carling Cup.
Hartlepool, who narrowly avoided relegation at the end of last season, visit the Ricoh in August.
The full Carling Cup draw:
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