Everton make bid for striker Smith
LONDON, England -- Everton have joined the race to sign England striker Alan Smith with a seven million pounds ($12.4m) offer, relegated Leeds United said on Thursday.
"I can confirm we are making a substantial offer...," Everton manager David Moyes said. "My hope is to partner Alan Smith and Wayne Rooney next season."
Leeds have already turned down offers of 3.5 and 5.5 million pounds from Manchester United because they did not meet their valuation of the 23-year-old.
"We've had lots of bids for Alan, the latest being around 7.0 million from Everton," club director Peter Lorimer told BBC Radio Leeds.
Smith, who scored 10 league goals last season, has made it clear he wants to leave Leeds with Manchester his preferred destination.
"... we want to get the best offer possible for the club, while Alan's agent has stressed that he wants to go to Old Trafford," said Lorimer.
The striker, who has also been reported as saying he would consider joining an Italian or Spanish club, is not in England's Euro 2004 squad but is on stand-by in case of injuries.