Kewell to begin talks to stay at Leeds

Leeds star Harry Kewell is due to begin negotiations next week on a long-term deal with the Elland Road club.

Leeds star Harry Kewell is due to begin negotiations next week on a long-term deal with the Elland Road club.

Kewell has yet to be offered a new contract according to agent Bernie Mandic, despite suggestions a Stg£50,000-per-week pay packet over the next five seasons has been on the table since the turn of the year.

Kewell, however, has apparently indicated in a preliminary discussion with chairman Peter Ridsdale earlier this season his desire to remain with the Premiership strugglers.

The 24-year-old is out of contract in 15 months' time and there are rumours a number of clubs will be looking to lure Kewell away from Leeds during the summer.

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Manchester United, Liverpool, and the two Milan giants, AC and Inter, have all been linked with the Australia international striker and all can offer him European football for next season.

Leeds saw their last hope of playing on the continent for a sixth successive time disappear at the weekend with their FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Sheffield United.

That has prompted suggestions Kewell will turn his back on Leeds during the close season, although talks regarding the club's 12-goal leading scorer putting pen to paper should commence within the next 10 days.

Mandic said: "I read some nonsensical comments in some newspapers saying Harry is reassessing his future. That's a load of nonsense as nothing has changed since Leeds went out of the FA Cup.

"We stand by exactly what I said months ago. We agreed that when the chairman is ready he will sit down and discuss the future.

"At this point in time no deal has been offered and no deal has been discussed. That's all there is to it.

"We have not discussed the possibility of Harry leaving the club because it's not an issue. We have not discussed anything with regard to foreign clubs or domestic clubs in the Premiership.

"The chairman told us three months ago that Harry was one of the players he definitely didn't want to leave and Harry has said he didn't have a problem with staying."

Mandic has also revealed that whether manager Terry Venables stays or goes this summer has no bearing on whether Kewell will sign.

"Harry was at Leeds before Terry Venables and there's no reason to suggest he won't be there if Terry leaves," added Mandic.

"I have spoken to Harry since the FA Cup game and he didn't mention anything then about his contract."

PA