Leeds could capitalise on the latest Chelsea contract row by snapping up Stg£7.5 million William Gallas to replace Rio Ferdinand, the Frenchman's agent revealed today.
Willie McKay disclosed the Blues centre-back is on the Yorkshire club's shortlist of players to succeed the England defender, who joined Manchester United's for £30 million.
And thanks to a controversial clause in 24-year-old Gallas' contract, he can leave for £1.5 million more than the £6 million he cost from Marseille last summer.
Chelsea were rocked on Tuesday when £15 million-rated frontman Eidur Gudjohnsen warned he could quit if his agent's looming pay talks with managing director Trevor Birch do not secure a bumper pay rise.
And another problem blew up in the face of Chelsea chairman Ken Bates today as McKay warned his client is also fuming after contract talks.
Gallas arrived 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.
So if Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale does table an offer for £7.5million - a quarter of Ferdinand's fee - Gallas will be allowed to speak to him and decide if his future lies at Stamford Bridge or Elland Road.
Gallas, a sensation in the Blues backline in his debut Premiership campaign, played all of last night's 3-1 friendly success at Oxford - but any move to Leeds could be delayed by United's pre-season tour of Asia and Australia.
Terry Venables' men thumped China's Green Town 5-1 on Tuesday and have arrived Down Under ahead of Saturday's clash with Colo Colo in Melbourne. They then fly to Thailand to face a Bangkok XI on Tuesday before jetting home.