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Leeds target McPhee: It was Leeds or Portugal 3rd July, 2004 L eeds United target Steve McPhee has spoken about his failed move to Elland Road. The 23 year-old who netted 27 times for Port Vale last season was a free agent but was prevented from joining Leeds when his Chairman would not agree compensation that due because of his age. McPhee, has now signed a pre-contract agreement with Beira Mar, a Portugese side that means it is a free transfer because it is outside the UK and it means the Valiants have also missed out on the £175,000 they were offered for the player by Division Two rivals Bristol City. However, Steve McPhee says his desire to play at a higher level meant the Portuguese Premier League side were his only option after Vale rejected a £75,000 bid from Championship Leeds United. His agent labelled Port Vale a "two-bob operation".   Missed target Steve McPhee off to sunnier climes   Steve McPhee added, "My agent was pretty much saying either take the Leeds offer or I was off to Portugal. That might look like blackmail, but it was just the reality, because Leeds were the only Division One club to have made an offer." "I wanted to help Vale out, but the only way I could do that was if a Division One club came in, because I didn't want to play in Division Two. It doesn't matter how much Bristol City would have offered me. It is not about the money it is about bettering myself." So the player and his agent wanted him to come here but he is forced to play abroad because of the petulance of a football Chairman who neeeds to wake up and smell the coffee. Refusing to face reality is no way to run any business. So whilst the British game continues to suck in sub-standard but cheap imports from Eastern Europe a true British talent is forced abroad and the English game doesn't get a penny. Well done Port Vale, you must be so proud of your Chairman. What have we missed out on? Tell us in our Leeds' fans forum