Taylor heading for the exit - but Kuqi to stay

MASTER MARKSMAN . . . Shefki Kuqi is staying for another season.

CHRIS Taylor seems certain to leave Athletic on a free transfer in the summer.

Athletic chairman Simon Corney has revealed contract talks have broken down twice.

Athletic turned down a six-figure cash offer from Scunthorpe for 25-year-old Taylor last year, the latest in a string of bids over the years.

But come the end of this season Springhead-based Taylor, a home-grown player who has made 283 appearances since breaking into the team six years ago, will finally move on.

“We offered Chris a new contract nine months ago,” said Corney. “It was made clear he wants to play in the Championship.”

Athletic have retained the services of 16-goal top scorer Shefki Kuqi for next season by taking up a conract provision.

A similar provision could keep captain Dean Furman at the club for 2012-13.



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