Mills heads for Leeds exit

Leeds are about to save themselves £18,000 a week by agreeing a 12-month loan deal with Birmingham for England defender Danny Mills.

And as the cash-strapped club battle to reduce debts of almost £80million, it can be revealed that officials are courting a wealthy Middle East investor in an attempt to inject fresh capital.

Mills, 26, who is in Sven Goran Eriksson's England squad for tonight's friendly against Croatia at Portman Road, is close to a move after his fall-out with Leeds manager Peter Reid came to a head.

Reid dropped the full back for Sunday's 2-2 draw against Newcastle, suggesting his attitude and effort were not up to scratch.

Mills claimed the suggestions were a slur on his character and Reid, under pressure to trim the wage bill, will offload him. Birmingham seem favourites to sign him although Middlesbrough are also thought to be interested.

One discreet spectator at Sunday's game was Sheik Abdul bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, a multi-millionaire active in football circles in the United Arab Emirates. Leeds plc directors, including deputy chairman Allan Leighton, were introduced to the Sheik, one of the wealthiest men in the Emirates, in the Elland Road boardroom.