Leeds striker Mark Viduka's hopes of a potential move to Valencia hang in the
balance due to the furore surrounding manager Rafael Benitez.
The new La Liga champions and UEFA Cup winners have been recently linked with
a move for Viduka, who is poised to soon follow Alan Smith out of the Elland
Road exit door following the England international's £7million switch.
Valencia are known to be interested in the 28-year-old Australia star, but
have yet to make an official offer for Viduka - who is likely to cost between
£4million to £5million -due to the uncertainty with regard to Benitez.
Liverpool are chasing Benitez as a replacement for the sacked Gerard Houllier,
but the Spaniard is being urged by Valencia to remain in charge and lead them in
their Champions League quest next season.
Until the destination of Benitez is known, Valencia cannot make an approach
for Viduka, who is currently at home in Australia recovering from back and
hamstring injuries, and who continues to remain at the hospital bedside of
seriously-ill father Joe.
Valencia's delay could be to Middlesbrough's gain as the Teesside club have
long been admirers of Viduka, and they can at least offer him UEFA Cup football
next season after their Carling Cup success last season.
Manager Steve McClaren tried to sign Viduka towards the end of the last
transfer window in January, only for the forward to commit himself to Leeds'
cause which ultimately ended in the bitterness of relegation.
Boro, like other suitors, know Leeds are anxious to sell their highest wage
earner as he commands a staggering £65,000 per week, a salary, however, which is
deterring a number of other interested parties.
For as long as Viduka remains on the books, it means new Leeds manager Kevin
Blackwell does not have the funds at his disposal to bring in his own players
required to strengthen the squad for next season's First Division campaign.
While any fee will go towards paying off the club's debts, Blackwell knows he
could bring in six free transfer players on the wages Viduka alone has been
commanding.
"Everything is dependent on who leaves," stated Blackwell, who made his
first signing today with the capture of Danny Pugh from Manchester United on a
two-year contract.
"From a purely selfish point of view, it would be nice if those who are
leaving could do so quickly and allow us to re-build.
"Those who are kept here on big wages will restrict us in the market. It all
depends on who goes and when they go as to what sort of budget we will have."
Pugh, a left-sided utility player, is unconcerned at swapping the Champions
League and Premiership football for the potential slog of life in Division One.
Although arriving at Elland Road as part of the £7million package which saw
Alan Smith move to Manchester United on Wednesday, the 21-year-old is essentially a
free transfer, and a sign of the way ahead for Leeds who must now operate in
more prudent circles.
Despite Leeds' much-publicised behind-the-scenes problems, Pugh is happy to
join Leeds in a bid to further his career after making just seven appearances in
two years at Old Trafford.
"I've no regrets about leaving Manchester United," insisted Pugh.
"I had reached a stage where I needed a change and I think this is the
perfect place for that change.
"I would have liked to have played more games, but it didn't happen, although
I believe I can do that here now.
"I did play three times in the Champions League, which was a great experience
for me and a good thing to have on my CV.
"But high standards were expected of me all the time I was at Manchester
United and hopefully that's what I can bring here and carry it on."
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