Pre-contract agreements for out of contract players

Saw this in the gossip column on BBC this morning before work and was wondering if this is true? (the contract part)

"0957 GMT: Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford has been linked with a summer move to Everton, who are reported to have agreed a pre-contract with the striker, whose contract expires at the end of the season. However, Whites manager Simon Grayson said: "Pre-contract agreements aren't binding so both parties could pull out at any time. If he bangs in another 20 goals, there might be bigger teams than Everton coming in for him." (Press Association)"

Because if it is then FM is wrong and needs to be changed in order to do so? Maybe we could turn somebodys head maybe if we somehow let the player slip through the net?

SOURCE: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8469302.stm (Third one down)

I take the gossip column with a pinch of salt tbh,i enjoy reading it though each morning with my cuppa and toast.

i dont see the point in having a precontract agreement if they arent binding so im not going to believe that.

It might well be the case that there's a fine of sorts if one of the parties does deicde to not go along with it. It seems a bit weird otherwise.

I want someone who knows though. It could be true. Its not even from a paper. Its a live thing from the Press Association

ye ive heard this two , im a leeds fan myself . grayson has said he will keep him till end of season to get them promoted then ye let him go to everton

This is indeed true. A pre-contract agreement is only really a verbal agreement between the two parties. My team (Hearts) had a pre contract agreement with a player last year and although he did sign, his club where still trying to persuade him to stay even though he had already agreed to the move.