He said, "I've never been someone who chased the money. If I was, I could have taken up lots of offers from down south. But my family has to come first and it would make no sense to accept lower wages from Oldham, or anywhere else, when I've got another 12 months at Sheffield United. Oldham know I'm looking for the same terms, so obviously the amounts being talked about before their option ran out were less than I'm on at the moment. We can't proceed at this stage, and my future is also in the hands of Sheffield United."
Beckett is looking for a two year contract and the Latics would still have to stump up an £85,000 transfer fee. It is known that Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield are trying to get his services but Beckett's agent has also indicated that Bradford City are also involved in negotiations.
Beckett went on, "There will probably be some cat-and-mouse because I doubt United will just give me away when there's money to be made. Any club I sign for will have to agree terms with United and then agree terms with me, so I honestly don't know what will happen. I'm happy to rejoin Oldham, but I know the transfer fee and wages would be a very big commitment for the club. They had a tough year financially, then there was another complication two weeks ago with the changeover of manager. It may be they try to restructure the deal with United, but I can't see anything happening on the cheap. And if it turns out nobody offers me the terms I'm on at the moment, I suppose I'll stay at Bramall Lane and see what happens next."