Leicester and Leeds both lose out

Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's new Prime Minister and the media magnate who heads Serie A's faltering giants, plans a £22million deal for the burly Australian striker - a million for each goal top scorer Viduka has fired in his first impressive season at Leeds.

While manager O'Leary privately fears the plc men in suits might bite on a big profit, chairman Peter Ridsdale, pledged to resist Milan's advances as well as those of rivals Roma, is ready to significantly improve the £20,000-a-week contract Viduka signed on his £6m arrival from Celtic almost a year ago.

But the genial striker's attachment to Leeds, forged quickly and strongly over a season of turmoil laced liberally with Champions League drama, goes far beyond the healthy state of the Viduka bank balance.

He was as disappointed as any teammate that Leeds' 3-1 victory over Leicester failed to squeeze a Champions League place out of a powerful Premiership runin - and as moved by the prolonged salutes from a 39,000 crowd whose last day out fell predictably flat in the wake of Liverpool's win.

It was Viduka's name they chanted - rather than the scorer's - for the smart first-time pass that allowed local hero and England prospect Alan Smith to coolly clinch the points and fourth place for Leeds with his second goal of the day.

Viduka, whose bravura performances underpinned Leeds progress to the Champions League semi-finals, said: 'It will have to be an offer that I can't refuse to make me leave here', an unfortunate choice of phrase given Berlusconi's alleged links with the corrupt side of Italian life during his colourful rise to prominence.

Viduka, who had a troubled time at Celtic despite his goals, added: 'I'm very happy here. I came to Leeds for stability. It's not about money, it's about a whole package and I just enjoy being here with the boys. I know from other clubs that it's very difficult to find the team spirit we have here.

'We are all close. I've got a good relationship with the other boys and you can see that by the results we have achieved this season. You have to look at the big picture. You

want to be comfortable in a place and I'm comfortable here.

'Success is important and I'd like to think I can achieve my ambitions with Leeds. I've done all right so far and I hope there's better to come from me. There's no reason why we can't bridge the gap with Manchester United next season if we play with the cohesion we've had since February.

'We just need a couple more play-ers to give us a some more depth to compete with Manchester United and Arsenal. That showed when we had problems early on in the season with key players out injured.' Matthew Jones will echo Viduka's thoughts on the Elland Road camaraderie. Leicester's 20-year-old Wales midfielder, sacrificed for £3m earlier this season to fund O'Leary's team-building, was visibly moved by the crowd's standing ovation when he was substituted.

Jones said: 'I headed for the home bench, it just seemed so natural. I saw the familiar faces. I had to pretend I was just saying "hello" and then change direction. I suppose that will happen when you've grown up at a place. I'll always love this club. I wasn't forced out, but when the chairman accepts an offer for you he's giving permission for you to go and you feel rejected. It all happened so suddenly, I've only just seen some people I never got a chance to say goodbye to.

'I feel for the lads who have given their all but missed out on the Champions League. I was dreading scoring a goal against them, though as a professional you wouldn't hold back. Adrenalin kept me going because I'm not yet match fit, the fans' reaction was just brilliant. They're not always that kind to former players.'

Jones and his new Leicester team-mates face a tough examination next season. On paper they matched Leeds for more than an hour, but Tim Flowers' agility and the woodwork that Viduka and Olivier Dacourt both struck distorted the view of a side that has fallen away after early promise.

Jones said: 'Peter Taylor's had his ups and downs but his second season will be easier. We've got to set our sights high, just as Leeds have. We might be disappointed, but we'll have the extra hunger and desire you need to hit those heights.'