wohin geht smith?

[3lions]

Leeds have on Tuesday rejected two offers from Manchester United for star striker Alan Smith.

The Red Devils initially made a derisory bid of £3.5million for Smith, and after that was turned down, the Old Trafford board returned with an improved bid of £5.5million.

That has also been thrown out as Leeds value the forward at closer to the £10million mark, and it is understood Liverpool are now prepared to step in.

A Leeds spokesman said: "The offers by Manchester United substantially undervalue Alan Smith's position as a top Premiership player.

"He is worth far more than what Manchester United are prepared to pay for him. Both offers were rejected immediately."

With Emile Heskey joining Birmingham on Tuesday for £6.25million, manager Gerard Houllier has the funds at his disposal to snatch Smith from under the noses of their great rivals.

Leeds are clearly determined to get the best possible price for Smith, and are proving they will not be held to ransom, despite their relegation to the Football League.

It is believed Smith and his representatives have held preliminary negotiations with Liverpool, who are in a hard-bargaining position after recently guaranteeing themselves Champions League football for next season.

The move would see Smith link up with Harry Kewell, who left Elland Road last summer for £5million, although the Whites only received half that figure as £2million went to agent Bernie Mandic and the remaining £500,000 to the player's pension fund.

But Smith to Liverpool would at least sit better with the Leeds supporters than Smith to Manchester United, although it remains to be seen if the latter come in with a further improved offer.

Smith, put on standby for Euro 2004 by England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson yesterday, recently angered Whites fans by conceding he is tempted by the lure of Old Trafford.

Smith's relationship with Leeds' fans has cooled considerably since he was mobbed by supporters at the end of the final home game against Charlton just over a week ago.

A lifelong Leeds fan, Smith was booed by his own supporters at Chelsea on Saturday as they began to realise their hero was willing to set aside the bitter rivalry between the two clubs in an effort to further his career.

Such is the disbelief at Smith's intentions that some Leeds fans are even claiming he is merely stringing United along in an effort to increase his value to his present employers.

It appears to be a deluded theory, even though Juventus, Valencia, Inter Milan, Newcastle and Middlesbrough have also been mentioned as suitors.

But while Leeds can bring in as many bidders as they like, ultimately, any move will be down to Smith, who knows his club are still under pressure to sell despite spurning Manchester United's overtures.

If Leeds fans will be aghast at the possibility of a transfer, Red Devils supporters will hardly be sitting comfortably either.

Aside from Smith's poor goal ratio, the move would also raise more question marks about the long-term future of Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Despite repeated denials, rumours persist the prolific Dutchman will be heading to Real Madrid and the arrival of another international striker at Old Trafford would only fuel more speculation.

bearbeitet 18. Mai 2004 von 3lions

[Starostyak]

Ich bin nach wie vor skeptisch...natürlich würd ich zu ihm nicht nein sagen, aber man müsste abwarten, wie er so einschlägt. Das große Kaliber, das wir im Sturm neben Ruud brauchen könnten, wäre er mMn nicht, ich lasse mich aber sehr gerne eines Besseren belehren.

Wieder mal zeigt sich übrigens eindrucksvoll, wie unser Management andere Klubs verscheißert...3,75 Millionen Pfund als erstes Angebot...echt genial...

bearbeitet 18. Mai 2004 von Green Magic

[3lions]

Leeds United have rejected a £7million bid from Everton for want away striker Alan Smith.

Manchester United had two bids for the England international turned down earlier this week while Liverpool are also reported to be interested in signing the 23-year-old.

"We've had lots of bids for Alan, the latest being around £7million from Everton," confirmed Leeds director Peter Lorimer.

"But we want to get the best offer possible for the club, while Alan's agent has stressed that he wants to go to Old Trafford."

Meanwhile, chairman Gerald Krasner has denied that a deal to sell the club to Steve Parkin has been finalised.

"Rumours are currently rife in the media that a deal with Steve Parkin has been signed. This is not the case," he said in a statement on the club's officilal website.

"Yes the board have spoken to him, as we have with several parties looking to invest in Leeds United, and I would like to reiterate that there is no 'done deal'.

"Our number one priority, at the moment, is to appoint a team manager who can get Leeds United back in to the Premiership."

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

Nun ist es entgültig fix:

Alan Smith Signs For United

Quelle: www.manutd.com

The total consideration for this transfer is £7.05 million (£6.0 million payable to Leeds, £0.3m levy payable to the FA Premier League and £0.75m fees payable to the agent) From Leeds United’s perspective the package totals £7 million with the player agreeing to waive his signing on fee and other associated considerations. The player has signed a 5 year contract that will see him at the club until 30th June 2009.

Alan Smith said “I have grown up at Leeds and spent some wonderful years there and I would like to thank everyone associated with the club. Now I feel it’s the right time to move on and there could be no better club than Manchester United. To be joining one of the best clubs in the world is fantastic and I am looking forward to the new challenges that face me.”

Sir Alex Ferguson said: “I have never been more impressed with a young player, his desire to play for Manchester United is fantastic. Certain young people come along with a special determination, and after speaking to him I expect that from Alan Smith. That desire will take him a long way.”

David Gill, Chief Executive of Manchester United PLC, said “Alan is a very young, committed and determined player. On the pitch he is fearless and this attitude will be a terrific asset to Manchester United.”

ich freu mich drüber, ist ein sehr talentierter junger Spieler, der sich sicher bei einem Topclub wie dem unsrigen noch steigern wird. Also ein fettes von mir, wenn jetzt auch noch woodgate zu uns kommt bin ich schon glücklich

[Starostyak]

Jemand, der 14 Jahre bei Leeds war und durch und durch Leeds-Supporter ist/war, kann gar nicht "sowas von heiß drauf sein", für ManUnited zu spielen

Aber ich bin natürlich gewillt, ihm eine faire Chance zu geben, und hoffe, dass er die Fans mit großartigen Leistungen überzeugt

[ans]

Ich freue mich über den Trasfer! Denke er wird uns wesentlich verstärken. Und ob er jetzt sein lebenlang Leeds-Fan war ist doch in der heutigen Zeit ziemlich egal. Sol Campbell kam auch von Tottenham zu Arsenal.