Valencia’s RobertoAyala has admitted that he has received an offer to join Premier League club Leeds United.
The approach by Leeds may signal the imminent departure from Elland Road of Rio Ferdinand who is wanted by both Manchester United and Arsenal.
Argentinian d efender Ayala, who missed out on the World Cup through injury, was thought to be a target for Manchester United but Ferdinand’s performance during the World Cup seems to have shifted the attention of the Old Trafford side.
Valencia, however, are not particularly keen to dispense with the Argentinian and Ayala has expressed no strong desire to leave.
However, he has acknowledged that, with only a year left on his contract he could leave next year for nothing under the Bosman ruling.
Valencia have valued the Argentinian at over £20 million, but may be willing to accept less than half of that to avoid losing Ayala on a free transfer in 12 months time.
“I am very comfortable in Valencia,” the player explained. “But it is up to the board members todecide if they want to keep me. If they want to release me then I’d be happy to go, but if not then I would be equally happy to stay.”
