Gallas eyes up Leeds move

LEEDS could capitalise on the latest Chelsea contract row by snapping up £7.5million William Gallas to replace Rio Ferdinand, the Frenchman's agent revealed yesterday.

Willie McKay disclosed the Blues centre-back is on the Yorkshire club's shortlist of players to succeed the England defender, who joined Manchester United's for £30m.

And thanks to a controversial clause in 24-year-old Gallas' contract, he can leave for £1.5m more than the £6m he cost from Marseille last summer.

Chelsea were rocked on Tuesday when £15m-rated frontman Eidur Gudjohnsen warned he could quit if his agent's looming pay talks with managing director Trevor Birch do not secure a bumper pay rise.

And another problem blew up in the face of Chelsea chairman Ken Bates yesterday as McKay warned his client is also fuming after contract talks.

Gallas arrived on a five-year contract but a fortnight ago, Chelsea offered him a new five-year deal with a marginal pay increase, in return for ditching the get-out clause. Gallas refused.

So, if Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale does table an offer for £7.5m a quarter of Ferdinand's fee Gallas will be allowed to speak to him and decide if his future lies at Stamford Bridge or Elland Road.

McKay, speaking from Monaco, said: ''I know Leeds have got William high up on their list of possible Rio Ferdinand replacements.

"There are also other clubs who are interested in having him at their club including Manchester United before Rio went there.

''William doesn't want to leave Chelsea, but the offer they made doesn't inspire him to sign. There's no point him taking the clause out for what he's been offered. He doesn't want to sign a new contract as he knows other clubs would want him in their team.''

McKay emphasised Gallas' insistence on the get-out clause, allowing him to assess his prospective suitors.

''Chelsea contacted us two weeks ago and only offered William a small rise, while taking the clause out,'' McKay added.

''But he put the clause in so wants it to stay. If he wasn't a good player and had a clause in his contract to let Chelsea get him out, I'm sure they would.

''So if a club comes in with a £7.5m offer, he will be allowed to speak to them and decide if he wants to stay or leave.''

Gallas, a sensation in the Blues backline in his debut Premiership campaign, played for all of Wednesday night's 3-1 friendly success at Oxford but any move to Leeds could be delayed by United's pre-season tour of Asia and Australia.

The Gallas row is just the latest concern for Bates and Blues boss Claudio Ranieri.

Icelandic international Gudjohnsen, 23, arrived on a five-year contract from Bolton in summer 2000. However, after setting the Premiership alight last season, the striker is now determined to cash in on a renegotiated big-money deal.

Chelsea's close-season has also been disturbed by more revelations about the club's £97m debt and failed transfer swoops for Real Madrid duo Flavio Conceicao and Geremi.

Midfielder Sam Dalla Bona, who left Stamford Bridge for AC Milan in a £1m deal a fortnight ago, even warned on Sunday his old club could ''fall apart'' due to money worries this season.