Viduka move hopes depend on Benitez future

Leeds striker Mark Viduka’s hopes of a potential move to Valencia hang in the balance due to the furore surrounding manager Rafael Benitez.

The new La Liga champions and UEFA Cup winners have been recently linked with a move for Viduka, who is poised to soon follow Alan Smith out of the Elland Road exit door following the England international’s £7m (€10.5m) switch.

Valencia are known to be interested in the 28-year-old Australia star, but have yet to make an official offer for Viduka – who is likely to cost between £4m (€6m) to £5m (€7.5m) -due to the uncertainty with regard to Benitez.

Liverpool are chasing Benitez as a replacement for the sacked Gerard Houllier, but the Spaniard is being urged by Valencia to remain in charge and lead them in their Champions League quest next season.

Until the destination of Benitez is known, Valencia cannot make an approach for Viduka, who is currently at home in Australia recovering from back and hamstring injuries, and who continues to remain at the hospital bedside of seriously-ill father Joe.

Valencia’s delay could be to Middlesbrough’s gain as the Teesside club have long been admirers of Viduka, and they can at least offer him UEFA Cup football next season after their Carling Cup success last season.

Manager Steve McClaren tried to sign Viduka towards the end of the last transfer window in January, only for the forward to commit himself to Leeds’ cause which ultimately ended in the bitterness of relegation.

Boro, like other suitors, know Leeds are anxious to sell their highest wage earner as he commands a staggering £65,000 (€97,000) per week, a salary, however, which is deterring a number of other interested parties.

For as long as Viduka remains on the books, it means new Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell does not have the funds at his disposal to bring in his own players required to strengthen the squad for next season’s First Division campaign.

While any fee will go towards paying off the club’s debts, Blackwell knows he could bring in six free transfer players on the wages Viduka alone has been commanding.

“Everything is dependent on who leaves,” stated Blackwell, who made his first signing today with the capture of Danny Pugh from Manchester United on a two-year contract.

“From a purely selfish point of view, it would be nice if those who are leaving could do so quickly and allow us to re-build.

“Those who are kept here on big wages will restrict us in the market. It all depends on who goes and when they go as to what sort of budget we will have.”

Pugh, a left-sided utility player, is unconcerned at swapping the Champions League and Premiership football for the potential slog of life in Division One.

Although arriving at Elland Road as part of the £7m (€10.5m) package which saw Alan Smith move to Manchester United yesterday, the 21-year-old is essentially a free transfer, and a sign of the way ahead for Leeds who must now operate in more prudent circles.

Despite Leeds’ much-publicised behind-the-scenes problems, Pugh is happy to join Leeds in a bid to further his career after making just seven appearances in two years at Old Trafford.

“I’ve no regrets about leaving Manchester United,” insisted Pugh.

“I had reached a stage where I needed a change and I think this is the perfect place for that change.

“I would have liked to have played more games, but it didn’t happen, although I believe I can do that here now.

“I did play three times in the Champions League, which was a great experience for me and a good thing to have on my CV. But high standards were expected of me all the time I was at Manchester United and hopefully that’s what I can bring here and carry it on.”