BORDEAUX SIGN SMERTIN

The Lokomotiv Moscow man was considered by both Sir Alex Ferguson and David O`Leary, but they decided not to follow up their initial interest, while other clubs also showed an interest in the 25-year-old.

Ferguson watched the Russia versus Israel international in February, with Smertin commenting at the time: "I know the Manchester United coach is interested in me.

"I will show Mr Ferguson what I can do." However, it seems as though United, like Leeds, did not pursue the 1999 Russian Player of the Year any further.

"I would love to have a player like Smertin here," admitted O`Leary, after he played against Leeds in the Uefa Cup last term. "But he`s a Russian isn`t he? I want to be certain a player would be suited to the demands of The Premiership."

Smertin has signed a five-year contract with Bordeaux and Lokomotiv now face a dilemma of whether to let him go for a sizeable fee now, or wait until his contract expires in December.

If he does leave this summer, his final game for Lokomotiv will be against his former club, Uralan Elista, towards the end of June.