United play Smith waiting game

Manchester United are prepared to sit and wait for Leeds to crack as the battle hots up to land striker Alan Smith.

Everton today became the latest club to make their interest known in Smith, submitting a £7m (€10.4m) offer for the 23-year-old, although due to their financial situation the cash is not all up front, and is dependent on appearances and international caps.

Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Liverpool are also in the hunt for the England forward, but Smith’s apparent desire to move to Old Trafford seemingly leaves financially-crippled Leeds in a position of weakness.

Leeds director Peter Lorimer said: “Smith’s agent [Alex Black] has indicated Alan’s preferred choice is Manchester United.”

It means despite two bids of £3.5m (€5.2m) and £5.5m (€8.2m) rejected on Tuesday, the Old Trafford club is effectively in the driving seat, and knows sooner or later Leeds will have to accept a figure substantially lower than the £10m (€14.8m) valuation.

Unlike Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Everton, United can offer Smith Champions League football next season, even if they do have to go through a qualifying round prior to the more lucrative group stages.

With Leeds also desperate for the money, as rumours are again circulating they could go into administration this summer unless a takeover deal with Steve Parkin is concluded, the Red Devils can pay any transfer fee in one instalment.

Chief executive David Gill is prepared to bide his time and wait until after Saturday’s FA Cup final against Millwall at the Millennium Stadium, unless Leeds approach United with an indication of what they are prepared to accept for Smith.

Gill and manager Alex Ferguson have already been in this situation before for in January they eventually landed Louis Saha following a protracted wrangle with Fulham.

France international striker Saha publicly voiced his desire to join United, against the wishes of Cottagers boss Chris Coleman who was adamant his player was going nowhere.

But United played a waiting game before eventually landing Saha for £12.8m (€19m), the fee far below that suggested by Coleman, and it appears as if a similar scenario is to unfold with Leeds.

Gill will certainly not want to attract the criticism former chief executive Peter Kenyon was subjected to two years ago when United signed Rio Ferdinand from Leeds for a British record £28.1m (€41.7m), so is unlikely to be as generous in the bargaining stakes.

United fans, meanwhile, are already making it clear they do not want Smith for a poll has been set up enquiring ‘How much is too much for Alan Smith?’, with 38% saying if one pound was paid that would be too much.

But Lorimer insists United “will have to up their bid,” and that any deal has to be right for all parties.

“It’s obviously a problem going to Manchester United with Alan being a Leeds player,” said Lorimer.

“But if we were to sell him under market value, I don’t think the supporters would like us too much.

“It is obviously his say as to where he wants to go. If he wants to go to Manchester United, and he is happy with that, then that’s fine.

“If Manchester United are happy they want him, then that’s fine, but they have to make us happy too by making us a better offer. If they do that then everybody is happy.”

Lorimer then naively added: “If they could show us a bit of kindness.

“We can’t let him go for less than the highest offer we have received and there has been interest from two other Premiership clubs in Newcastle and Middlesbrough as well.”

It means United needing to make an improved third offer of around £7.5m (€11.1m) to £8m (€11.9m) for Leeds to finally cave in and for their bitter rivals to land one of the hottest properties in football.

Everton, who narrowly avoided relegation this season can forget landing Smith, with the club’s bid perhaps nothing more than posturing for the benefit of their fans.

It was believed Moyes’ transfer kitty was a mere £1.5m (€2.2m) this summer, but the Scot and deputy chairman Bill Kenwright have made public their interest in Smith.

“I can confirm we are making a substantial offer for Alan Smith,” said Moyes on the club’s website.

“My hope is to partner Alan Smith and Wayne Rooney in my Everton side next season.”

Kenwright added: “David and I have been discussing the Alan Smith situation at Leeds for over two weeks now.

“I can confirm that in the last 24 hours we have had contact with those involved in the hope that Alan Smith might be an Everton player next season.”