Gallas on Leeds 'Rio replacement' list

Chelsea centre-back William Gallas is on Leeds’ shortlist of players to replace Rio Ferdinand and available for £7.5m (€11.8m), his agent revealed today.

Willie McKay disclosed United chairman Peter Ridsdale is mulling over a bid for the 24-year-old, who has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for £1.5m (€2.4m) more than the £6m (€9.4m) he cost from Marseille last summer.

If Ridsdale does table an offer worth a quarter of the £30m (€47m) fee from Ferdinand’s controversial transfer to Manchester United, Gallas will be allowed to speak to Leeds and decide if his future lies at Stamford Bridge or Elland Road.

Gallas arrived at Stamford Bridge 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 and McKay, speaking from Monaco, told PA Sport: "I know Leeds have got him 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."