Leeds slap 10 million price tag on Smith

Leeds United have said they will not accept anything less than 10 million pounds for England striker Alan Smith, seen here (C) battling Liverpool's Igor Biscan (L), if, as seems inevitable they are relegated from the Premiership

Leeds United have said they will not accept anything less than 10 million pounds for England striker Alan Smith if, as seems inevitable, they are relegated from the Premiership.

Birmingham made an opening bid of 5.75 million pounds for the England international after the Elland Road board appointed an agent to find potential buyers for Smith and Australian Mark Viduka.

But Leeds director Peter Lorimer insisted Smith, 23, would not be sold on the cheap.

"When I see what Alan has to offer and what others have gone for, I put him as a 10 million pounds player in the current market," he told the Daily Mail newspaper.

"Nobody has a bigger heart, he doesn't get injured and his temper is now under control.

"He's in control of his game and it's invaluable to a club to know you've got a real battler for 40-odd games a year.

"They talk about Michael Owen being valued at 25 million pounds. Nobody can tell me Alan isn't half as good as Owen, and everybody you talk to in the game cannot help but admire his attitude."

Smith has insisted he will leave Elland Road on his terms and choose his own destination should they get relegated.

"If I have to leave - and that is not certain - it will be to a club of my choice," he said.

"I love this club and yet it seems they've appointed an agent to sell me somewhere I might not want to go."

Newcastle have long been interested in Smith but Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was said to be considering the possibility of linking him with Louis Saha at Old Trafford if Ruud van Nistelrooy left for Real Madrid or Barcelona as the media has bet on this week.

Leeds, three points short of safety with only three games remaining, will be relegated this weekend if they lose at Bolton and Manchester City beat Newcastle United.