Last Updated: Friday, 15 August, 2003, 06:26 GMT 07:26 UK
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Leeds deny Smith report
Smith scored 10 goals for Leeds last season
Leeds United have dismissed a report claiming their striker Alan Smith will be sold to Aston Villa for £8m.
The Sun newspaper claimed England striker Smith had been locked in "secret talks" all week with his former Elland Road boss David O'Leary, who is now in charge at Villa Park.
But the Yorkshire club swiftly issued a statement on their website reassuring supporters that Smith would not be leaving.
"Leeds United can categorically deny the story and have issued assurances that there are no plans to part with Alan Smith, who is seen as a key figure in Peter Reid's aims to take the club back into Europe again," the statement read.
Smith signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal worth £40,000 a week on last February.
Feature: Reid looks on the bright side
His departure would have been a massive blow to Leeds fans, who have already witnessed a mass exodus of players from Elland Road.
Leeds have sold nearly £60m worth of talent in the past year, but remain heavily in debt.
And any hint that chairman Professor John McKenzie may be tempted to cash in on the striker may alert Newcastle into making a late bid.
E-mail this to a friend Printable version
Leeds deny Smith report
Smith scored 10 goals for Leeds last season
Leeds United have dismissed a report claiming their striker Alan Smith will be sold to Aston Villa for £8m.
The Sun newspaper claimed England striker Smith had been locked in "secret talks" all week with his former Elland Road boss David O'Leary, who is now in charge at Villa Park.
But the Yorkshire club swiftly issued a statement on their website reassuring supporters that Smith would not be leaving.
"Leeds United can categorically deny the story and have issued assurances that there are no plans to part with Alan Smith, who is seen as a key figure in Peter Reid's aims to take the club back into Europe again," the statement read.
Smith signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal worth £40,000 a week on last February.
Feature: Reid looks on the bright side
His departure would have been a massive blow to Leeds fans, who have already witnessed a mass exodus of players from Elland Road.
Leeds have sold nearly £60m worth of talent in the past year, but remain heavily in debt.
And any hint that chairman Professor John McKenzie may be tempted to cash in on the striker may alert Newcastle into making a late bid.