Hard-up Leeds United have admitted a multi-millionaire sheik attended Sunday's game against Newcastle and was invited into their boardroom.

But they have played down the significance of the visit.

Press reports suggested that Sheik Al-Khalifa was being courted by officials with the aim of persuading him to inject much-needed cash into the club.

A club statement read: "Leeds United plc notes press speculation regarding Sheik Al-Khalifa. He has been a lifelong Leeds United fan, known to many previous managers and directors of the club.

"He has attended Elland Road on a regular basis over the past 25 years and was invited to the directors' box on Sunday as a guest of Leeds United.

"As with all Leeds United fans, Sheik Al-Khalifa is concerned regarding Leeds United's financial position and took the opportunity of his visit to discuss this, but no proposals have been made."

Meanwhile, the club's new attacking sensation Lamine Sakho says Arsenal striker Thierry Henry helped persuade him to come to the Premiership.

The 26-year-old striker has already won over the Elland Road fans after a superb debut on the left flank against Newcastle.

Sakho, who has joined Leeds on a one-year loan deal from Marseille, said: "There were clubs in France looking at me who said they were interested. I could have signed for a lot of clubs but I wanted to come to England even if it was on loan.

"A lot of my friends play here and are always talking about England - I played for France's Under-21s with Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka.

"They keep saying the crowds here are fantastic and I wanted to know more."

Defender Danny Mills, who has fallen out with manager Peter Reid, has rejected a loan move to Birmingham.

Updated: 10:49 Thursday, August 21, 2003