Smith swoop Jan 15 2004

By Alan Oliver, The Evening Chronicle

Newcastle United have slapped in a bid for Leeds United striker Alan Smith.

And while the bid - I understand it was in the region of £2 million - was turned down, the matter could be taken out of the hands of Leeds next week.

For the Elland Road outfit are no closer to finding a benefactor who will ease their £75 million debt - and if no-one comes forward by Monday there is every chance that the once-proud Yorkshire side will go into administration next week.

And if that happens, there is nothing to stop Freddy Shepherd going straight in above the heads of the Leeds United directors and bringing Smith to St James' Park.

Indeed, the talk is that Smith's transfer fee under administration would be a mere £2 million which would be an absolute snip for the 23-year-old England international.

Shepherd found himself at loggerheads with Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks when he went to the administrators and signed Darren Ambrose for £1 million a year ago.

The attitude of Shepherd is that he has to do the best for Newcastle United and if this upsets others clubs, then so be it.

United upset Leeds fans this time last year when they stole Jonathan Woodgate for £9 million - remember Rio Ferdinand cost Manchester United £30 million when he moved from Elland Road - and when Sir Bobby Robson picked up Lee Bowyer on a free transfer in the summer, it did not help relations between the two clubs.

As revealed in Chronicle Sport last Wednesday, United have asked Leeds for Geordie boy Michael Bridges on loan until the end of the season but were turned down by Eddie Gray.

As in the case of Smith, Leeds could be powerless to stop Bridges coming to St James' Park next week.

It's inevitable that Mark Viduka will leave Elland Road - the Aussie international is currently Down Under on compassionate leave - and Wakefield-born Smith is the last player Leeds and their fans want to lose.

So much so that the Tykes have been touting around England keeper Paul Robinson this week for £4 million.

They hope that selling Robinson would give them some breathing space until the end of the season but they are rapidly running out of time.

Sir Bobby has already checked on Smith's background with his former Leeds colleague Woodgate and has been told he is the player you would want next to you in the trenches.

I believe Smith would be a tremendous signing for United even though I have heard some of the Toon Army say he does not score enough goals.

His record is 24 in 131 Premiership starts for Leeds while his six England caps have produced one goal.