Marques is out of contract in the summer after signing a one-year agreement last August, but United are intent on extending his deal following rumours linking him with Sunderland and Watford.

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The 30-year-old has generated attention with a consistent and influential contribution to United's League One season, and his performances earned him a call-up to Angola's squad for the African Cup of Nations in January.

Marques was promised a new deal by Dennis Wise earlier in the season, but United's former manager advised the defender to delay official negotiations until the end of the term to ensure he maximised his earning potential if Leeds were promoted to the Championship.

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United, though, appear ready to resolve the matter quickly, and boss Gary McAllister, whose own deal expires in May, has recommended that the Elland Road club renew his deal promptly.

McAllister said: "It's being dealt with as we speak. My contract doesn't go beyond May at the moment but my advice and my recommendation would be to keep him.

"He's a first-class player and a good man to have around the club."

Wise's decision to delay contract talks with Marques came as a surprise, with the defender entering the final months of his present deal. Speaking two weeks before stepping down as United's boss in January, Wise said: "Rui knows that he's got another contract here. But does he want to sign a new contract on League One money when there's a possibility that we'll go up, or does he want to sign a contract on Championship money?

"If he wants to sit down then he can, but I told him he'd be a fool. He'd be mad to do it now because we only pay a certain amount of money. Obviously if we go up, we'll pay that little bit more."

Leeds have more immediate matters to attend to ahead of tomorrow's clash with Bournemouth, and United were in the process of completing the signing of Dougie Freedman today.

United have agreed terms with Crystal Palace to sign the striker until the end of the season, and he could be involved in McAllister's squad to face Bournemouth at Elland Road.

McAllister said: "He's one of two or three who we've been tracking for a bit, trying to provoke it and make it happen.

"He's a player with experienced and guile, and who can cope with this level of football."