Inter Milan are poised to enter the race to sign Leeds striker Mark Viduka.
The Australian hitman has been linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer while United chairman Peter Ridsdale is frantically trying to get the former Celtic star to extend his contract at Elland Road.
|
Inter president Massimo Moratti told onefootball.com: "We are confident that we can sign Viduka. We have received positive news from his agent.
"We will be contacting Leeds over the next two weeks."
Leeds insist they have yet to receive any offers for Viduka and Ridsdale has visited the player on holiday to thrash out a new deal.
Ridsdale said: "I am hopeful Mark will sign a one-year extension to his contract.
"I met him in Croatia and we had a chat. He told me he is very happy at Leeds and has never been as settled anywhere.
"He appreciates the club taking the initiative to talk to him, which is what we promised we would do if he had a successful season.
"Hopefully matters will be swiftly concluded with conformation that Mark will be staying and adding a further year to his contract.
"There has been a lot of speculation about clubs from abroad, but that doesn't matter. The key thing is that he is under contract for four years at the moment and I hope it will soon be five."
Viduka himself said: "It would have to be a very, very good deal to prise me away from here.
"It's not all about money. It's about being somewhere which feels right and at Leeds we are building something special."
PA