Neal Collins soccer
English Premiership side Leeds United have made an approach for South African striker Benni McCarthy on the recommendation of his Bafana Bafana captain, Lucas Radebe.
Leeds coach David O’Leary, who paid a record 18-million for defender Rio Ferdinand last week, is desperate to sign a goal-getter, with Australian Harry Kewell and Michael Bridges both on the long-term injury list.
And McCarthy, the former Ajax Amsterdam striker now with Spanish club Celta Vigo, tops the list.
Leeds have also expressed an interest in Everton’s Francis Jeffers and Ireland’s Robbie Keane, currently with AC Milan.
Aston Villa had an 8-million bid for McCarthy knocked back last week but Leeds appear happy to bid the 10-million asked for by the Spaniards. And Rhoo Radebe, the Elland Road captain, would welcome his compatriot with open arms.
Whether at Leeds or Villa or some other team McCarthy is on his way to England’s Premiership, says his agent Rob Moore. “Benni is itching to get to England. He went out with the Aston Villa lads when he played against them earlier in the season and he feels he could settle in the Premiership,” says Moore.
McCarthy, plucked from Cape Town by Ajax Amsterdam before his move to Celta Vigo, would already be in England if the Spanish club had accepted Villa’s offer.
Moore says: “I really believe he will end up in England, but it will cost 12-million. Dwight Yorke cost 10-million and everyone said he was expensive. But Rio Ferdinand has just gone to Leeds for 18-million so Benni would be a good buy, a real bargain.
“Benni was disappointed when the Villa move fell through, but it boils down to pounds and pence and not logic. I was in England last week speaking to Villa chair Doug Ellis, but I also spoke to other teams who are interested. But Villa are the only team to have made a concrete offer so far.
“Celta need to realise Benni will join the club he wants to join and not the team that offers the highest amount. He wants his next move to be to England.”
ENDS