Arsenal remain in pole position to sign Kewell

LEEDS star Harry Kewell’s future will be resolved by the end of the month.

Arsenal remain in pole position to sign Kewell, with a player-plus-cash deal for the Australia international the only firm bid on Leeds' table.

Kewell has already indicated he has no desire to join Manchester United after their treatment of David Beckham, who finally moved to Real Madrid for £24.5 million this week.

Despite claims to the contrary, Leeds' bitter rivals have made no bid for the 24-year-old winger, who has just a year remaining on his current Leeds contract.

Leeds have done everything in their power to keep Kewell, but despite the offer of a two-year contract extension worth £48,000-per-week, it appears increasingly unlikely the £6 million- rated ace will sign.

Barcelona have signalled their interest in Kewell, and it is understood agent Bernie Mandic has met with representatives of the Catalan club. But again, no official bid has been received by Leeds.

The Gunners are able to offer Kewell Champions League football, while there is unlikely to be any stumbling block in matching or beating Leeds' new salary package.

The only question that remains is who Arsenal are willing to part with, with Leeds' manager Peter Reid understood to prefer Jermaine Pennant.

France international striker Sylvain Wiltord is not a target, while Ray Parlour's £30,000-per-week salary and the fact he is due a testimonial, represent major hurdles should Leeds pursue the England international midfielder.

Paris St Germain president Francis Graille believes Manchester United target Ronaldinho is still coveted by Real Madrid, but he has no intention of selling. The 23-year-old World Cup winner with Brazil , has been linked with a move to Madrid, Barcelona and United.

Real were thought to be out of the picture after agreeing a £25 million deal for Beckham pending a medical on July 2 but Graille has confirmed he is still in contact with the Primera Liga leaders.

"We have remained in phone contact with Real Madrid in the past few days," he said. Former England international Paul Gascoigne, fresh from a bout in an alcohol rehab centre, has not fulfilled his promise to return to his Chinese club, prompting Gansu Tianma to threaten arbitration.

"We still hope that Gazza will return, but at the same time we must prepare for the worst, and if the worst arrives then I think we can only go through the China Football Association or FIFA to try to resolve this," Zhang Tongbo, Tianma's manager said yesterday

Earlier this month, the controversial Gascoigne promised to return to the B-league Gansu club but has so far failed to appear.

The paper accused Gazza of walking off with a sackful of his salary before leaving China in April, and said that legal methods might be the only way to get the money back.

The former international reportedly checked into a rehab clinic in southwestern United States after an alcoholic binge while playing for the Tianma earlier this year.