We Want Best To Stay - Ranson

Last updated : 02 December 2009 By Covsupport News Service

Coventry City Chairman Ray Ranson has said that everyone at the club would like Leon Best to sign a new contract.

The striker is out of contract at the end of the season and there has been plenty of press specualation about intererest in him, with a number of clubs including West Brom having watched the Republic Of Ireland international.

Speaking to the CT, Mr Ranson said; "Everybody at the club would like Leon to sign a new contract. However, we will receive compensation for him if he leaves at the end of the season because it will go through a tribunal.

"Leon has cost the club in excess of £1.2m when we went through the tribunal process before - nearly three years ago - but he is now a proven Championship player and fully fledged international. Therefore, I think it is fair to say we will receive a substantial fee for his registration in the summer if that's the process we have to go through.

"I'm sure Leon will reflect on the fact that on a few occasions last season he was booed by a small section of our supporters but I hope, when he is making his decision whether to stay or go that does not come into the equation.

"We would not stop him from going to another club and bettering his career but what are we left with? A unhappy player on our hands.

"If offers come in in Januarym which we are fully expecting given the murmurings and speculation, we will consider them. But we won'tbe forcing Leon Best out of the door. If Leon Best does want to go likewise, there is nothing we can do about that.

"We want him to sign a new contract and committ himeself for the next two to three years but it is not cut and dried."