Kleberson ready to tell Leeds 'I do'

Leeds are to start negotiations with £4m-rated Kleberson after the Brazilian’s 15-year-old bride-to-be agreed to his marriage proposal.

With Leeds due to receive £7m for Robbie Fowler following his move to Manchester City, the deal has finally paved the way for boss Terry Venables to sign his number one target.

A Leeds official is due to meet with Kleberson’s representative, Marcel Figer, to thrash out terms on a four-and-a-half year deal, with Venables looking to strengthen his midfield following the recent departures of Lee Bowyer and Olivier Dacourt.

Venables has been eager to sign the Atletico Paranaense star, with Kleberson’s club desperate for the money as they are struggling financially, after watching the player shine for Brazil during the World Cup.

Kleberson has also stated his desire to play in the Premiership, however, in proving romance is still alive, he was not prepared to leave his homeland unless girlfriend Dayane Wilians Da Silva said ‘yes’ to marriage.

The 23-year-old is due to wed on Valentine’s Day when Miss Da Silva turns 16, with the teenager confirming: “He told me he would not travel without me unless I agreed to marry him – I accepted within the hour.”

When the two met a year ago, Kleberson had at the time been engaged to another woman for four years, but their friendship blossomed and as the player concedes: “Everything in my life happens very fast.”

With Leeds eager to conclude a deal, the only stumbling block would appear to be whether Kleberson remains in Brazil until he is married, which means he may not potentially make his debut until the Elland Road clash with Newcastle on February 22.

Another Venables’ target in Australia, winger Stan Lazaridis, has revealed he is still in the dark over his proposed move from Birmingham where he is out of the contract in the summer.

Venables has admitted his interest in making Lazaridis the latest addition to Leeds’ Australian fraternity which includes Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka and Paul Okon.

Birmingham are looking for a nominal fee for the 30-year-old, who it appears would again like to link up with former Australia coach Venables and his Down Under team-mates.

“It is great if there is interest and if it’s true I will see what happens,” said Lazaridis.

“I guess the speculation is helped by the other Aussies at Leeds and the Terry Venables connection.

“My contract is up at the end of the season and the club may let it run out and I can leave for nothing, or they might want to get a little bit of money for me now.

“But every day depends on what the managers want to do and what the clubs want to do. Every day something different seems to be happening on the transfer market.”

Roy Aitken, meanwhile, has spurned an opportunity to return to management with Norwegian club Brann Bergen and decided to remain at Leeds as reserve team coach.

Former Aberdeen boss Aitken, who has been in charge of the reserves since 1999, was interested in the role with Bergen who were willing to offer him a very lucrative deal.

But the Scot is to stay at Elland Road after being convinced of his value to the United squad by boss Terry Venables.

“After careful consideration I have decided that it will be in my best interest to stay at Leeds,” stated Aitken.

“I spoke with Terry Venables at the weekend and he told me that he was keen for me to stay so I have more or less taken his advice.”

Brann have appointed former player Mons Ivar Mjelde as their new coach.