Socceroo star Harry Kewell wants to stay at Leeds United but will bide his time in signing a new contract with the English Premier League club.

Kewell's sparkling performance in Australia's defeat of England earlier this month raised fresh suggestions that the Socceroo would make a move to Spain or Italy in the off-season.

Kewell's contract will expire at the end of the 2003-04 season, and Leeds would be keen to either extend that deal or cash in with a sale at the end of the current season.

If not they would risk losing him to a `Bosman' deal at the end of his contract, whereby Leeds would not be able to ask for a transfer fee.

Kewell's agent Bernie Mandic said while the Australian was happy to stay at Elland Road, he would not be rushed into putting pen to paper.

"As far as I am concerned Harry is a Leeds player and he still wants to stay," Mandic was quoted as saying in The Sun.

"There is no need to rush into anything.

"We are not fussed or worried, and anyway Leeds have had plenty of other issues to resolve just recently.

"Harry has also always had a great relationship with Leeds and (chairman) Peter Ridsdale and I see no reason why that would change."

Continental giants Real Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Inter and Juventus had all been linked to a move on the 24-year-old Kewell.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP