MIDDLESBROUGH officials will fly to Croatia to try to push through a £4 million deal for Mark Viduka.
The Teesside club tried to sign the Aussie in January but Viduka chose to stay at Elland Road and lead the club's fight to avoid relegation.
That bid failed, however, with Viduka being sent off twice in the final few weeks and Leeds now must off-load the striker who earns £60,000 a week at Elland Road. Boro are the only club to have made a concrete bid but Juventus, Bayern Munich and Valencia have all been linked with the 28-year-old.
Boro know they must act quickly and a deputation will fly out to Viduka's adopted homeland of Croatia where he spends the summer.
Viduka's sale would be a major boost for Leeds who are desperate to slash their wage bill. Kevin Blackwell is hoping Leeds can off-load most of their high earners quickly to allow him to plan for next season.
High earners Dominic Matteo, Stephen McPhail, Danny Mills, Michael Duberry and Gary Kelly have all been linked with a move away from Elland Road since relegation was confirmed.
Former Leeds striker Michael Bridges has joined Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer. The Trotters are also on the verge of signing Birmingham's Senegal midfielder Aliou Cisse.
Updated: 11:00 Thursday, June 10, 2004
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