Viduka transfer talk rubbished

Viduka has been Celtic's outstanding player this year

Celtic striker Mark Viduka's agent Bernie Mandic has dismissed increased speculation about the player's possible next move as "ludicrous".

The Australian striker has been linked with moves to many of Europe's top clubs, with Leeds, Fiorentina and Celta Vigo the latest to be mentioned.

But Mr Mandic denied he had had any contact with other clubs regarding Viduka's future.

Of all the players IMG work with, I don't think any have attracted the same kind of speculation

Bernie Mandic, Viduka's agent

However he does expect to meet Celtic officials in the near future to discuss the striker's options.

Mr Mandic stressed any contact with other clubs would only occur at Celtic's instruction.

He said he intends to seek talks with Celtic this summer and he may look to renegotiate Australian international Viduka's current playing deal, which runs until 2002.

No discussions

"I'm sick and tired about all this ludicrous speculation. I think Mark has probably been linked with a dozen clubs now in the last three or four months," said Mr Mandic.

"The simple truth is that if there were any discussions with other clubs we would keep Celtic informed, but there have been no such discussions.

"He is Celtic's player and it's their decision. If they come to us and tell us that we can go out and talk to other clubs because they want to sell him then we would do that, but at the moment they've not given us that authority.

"At the moment I don't know of any club that Celtic have come to an agreement with. We will be in contact with them sooner or later but that will be to discuss Mark's personal terms and conditions."

Viduka holds off a challenge

One newspaper report said Viduka's representatives will hold talks with Serie A outfit Fiorentina on Thursday.

But while he is in Italy on International Management Group business, Mr Mandic denied a meeting relating to Celtic's leading scorer is planned.

Mandic said: "If people want to run with stories it's up to them.

"I am going to Italy this week. IMG Australia are developing business contacts in Italy and that's the reason I'm going.

"I'm going there to discuss players in general and not one single player.

Unbelievable speculation

"I don't have anything scheduled with Fiorentina because the game I'm going to is in Milan and doesn't involve that club at all.

"Of all the players IMG work with, I don't think any have attracted the same kind of speculation which seems to revolve around Mark.

"Harry Kewell has been involved in a fair bit of speculation so to an extent it's something which goes with the territory.

"I have to say, though, I've never seen anything like how it is with Mark in Scotland.

"It's unbelievable that three different papers from the same city can link him with three different clubs on the same day."

Meanwhile, Celtic's Danish international defender Marc Reiper has admitted he is running out of options as he seeks a cure for his injured toe.

The centre-half has not played this season and says he will make a decision shortly on whether to retire from the game.