Guardian Unlimited Football | News | Fenerbahce claim Viduka bid
Leeds have today dismissed speculation linking striker Mark Viduka with a move to Turkey after Fenerbahce became the latest vultures to circle stricken Elland Road.
Fenerbahce president Baskan Aziz Yldirim claims to have made a near-£5million bid for the 27-year-old as they try to gain ground on Turkish league leaders Besiktas.
"Viduka is a player we are following with a lot of conviction because he's the man who can help us to fill the gap with Besiktas, who are the strongest team in the league right now," said Yldirim.
"We're very close to him. We offered Leeds more than seven million euros. We expect the Australian to sign soon."
Leeds insist they have received no bid for Viduka who is currently in Australia on indefinite compassionate leave at the bedside of his seriously-ill father Joe.
Despite Leeds' financial problems, with the club expected to announce to the Stock Exchange later today a two-week extension to the 'standstill agreement' they have with creditors, the sale of Viduka would not be of benefit.
Viduka is one of a handful of players Leeds signed on 'hire purchase' with the aid of cash from player-leasing agents, Registered European Football Finance (REFF) Ltd.
Leeds are understood to owe £7million to REFF, despite Celtic receiving £6million in the summer of 2000, with the difference made up in interest.
One piece of good news for Leeds is that Arsenal have again agreed to a one-month loan extension for winger Jermaine Pennant. The 21-year-old, who joined Leeds in late August and has since played in 20 league matches for United, has been one of the better players on view in the last few months.
Leeds have today dismissed speculation linking striker Mark Viduka with a move to Turkey after Fenerbahce became the latest vultures to circle stricken Elland Road.
Fenerbahce president Baskan Aziz Yldirim claims to have made a near-£5million bid for the 27-year-old as they try to gain ground on Turkish league leaders Besiktas.
"Viduka is a player we are following with a lot of conviction because he's the man who can help us to fill the gap with Besiktas, who are the strongest team in the league right now," said Yldirim.
"We're very close to him. We offered Leeds more than seven million euros. We expect the Australian to sign soon."
Leeds insist they have received no bid for Viduka who is currently in Australia on indefinite compassionate leave at the bedside of his seriously-ill father Joe.
Despite Leeds' financial problems, with the club expected to announce to the Stock Exchange later today a two-week extension to the 'standstill agreement' they have with creditors, the sale of Viduka would not be of benefit.
Viduka is one of a handful of players Leeds signed on 'hire purchase' with the aid of cash from player-leasing agents, Registered European Football Finance (REFF) Ltd.
Leeds are understood to owe £7million to REFF, despite Celtic receiving £6million in the summer of 2000, with the difference made up in interest.
One piece of good news for Leeds is that Arsenal have again agreed to a one-month loan extension for winger Jermaine Pennant. The 21-year-old, who joined Leeds in late August and has since played in 20 league matches for United, has been one of the better players on view in the last few months.
