MIDDLESBROUGH were last night stepping up their pursuit of Leeds United striker Mark Viduka after Patrick Kluivert ruled out a summer move to Teesside.

Viduka has spent the last week on holiday in Australia after failing to prevent Leeds slipping out of the Premiership at the end of last season.

But the 28-year-old will return to West Yorkshire this evening to sort out his future.

Leeds are resigned to losing Viduka as relegation means they can no longer afford to meet his £65,000-a-week wages.

But, while Boro are the only club to have expressed an official interest in the former Celtic frontman, they face a battle to capture one of boss Steve McClaren's key transfer targets.

Valencia made tentative enquiries after beating Leeds in the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2001, and Viduka has never hidden his desire to join the Spanish champions.

But, with Valencia coach Rafael Benitez still leading the race to be installed as new manager at Liverpool, Boro will hope the insecurity at the Spanish club creates an opening for them to swoop.

Valencia will not be signing any new players until Benitez's future is known, although the Spaniard could look to re-unite Viduka with former Leeds team-mate Harry Kewell if he is named as the successor to deposed Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier.

Middlesbrough have already confirmed that they are willing to meet Leeds' £4m asking price for a player who still managed to score 13 goals in 31 games last season despite his club's dreadful form.

Viduka's wages will represent a significant stumbling block, although the Australian has hinted that he is willing to take a pay cut in order to secure a move away from Elland Road.

"Mark understands he had a very good deal at Leeds United," said his English representative Chris Price.

"He knows it's unlikely that will be repeated at the majority of clubs.

"Only one or two, maybe three, could match that salary and Mark is realistic enough to know that he won't get that."

Boro are ready to start negotiations with Viduka this week after Kluivert effectively closed the door on any summer move to the Riverside.

The Dutch international, who has been told to look for a new club by his current employers Barcelona, is currently sizing up his options ahead of Euro 2004.

Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb told The Northern Echo that the club were putting together a bid for Kluivert last week, but the 27-year-old has now revealed that he will only move to England if he is able to join a London club.

That news has also come as a blow to Newcastle as the Magpies were also lining up an offer for the striker.

"I have no intention of going to Middlesbrough," said Kluivert, who could yet dig his heels in and see out the final year of his contract at Camp Nou.

"I will not consider a move to a small club.

"I would like to go to one of the big London teams.

"If that doesn't happen I will stay at Barcelona for the final year of my contract."