IT was described as the most controversial transfer in English football history by some of the national Press this week.

And there's no doubt Alan Smith's contentious switch from Leeds to Manchester United has caused shockwaves on both sides of the Pennines.

But I, personally, think it's a great move for Alan - and a great signing for Manchester United considering the price they've paid for him.

I know the Leeds fans will never forgive him but what's he supposed to do?

Let's face it, if you've got the chance of joining a club like United then you're going to jump at it, especially when you're own club has just been relegated.

This is his chance to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world and he may never get another.

At the end of the day, you've got to be true to yourself as a player and if you've got anything about you then you'd want to go as far as you possibly can in the game.

If Smith is ambitious then he'll want to be playing in the Champions League and winning trophies and he's good enough to do that.

If he stayed at Leeds then it could be years before that happens and what about his England prospects?

At the moment, he's on the fringes of Sven Goran Eriksson's squad and a season in the First Division would hardly help his chances of becoming a regular in the side.

Leeds fans will argue, of course, they wouldn't have begrudged him a move elsewhere just as long as it wasn't to United.

But if you were faced with a straight choice between Birmingham, Middlesbrough or United then you're going to plump for Old Trafford every time. You'd be foolish not to!

I must admit if United had come in for me when I was at Blackburn then I probably would have gone, simply because that kind of opportunity only comes along once in a life.

Much as I loved Rovers - and still do - you'd have to give it serious consideration, no matter how much it might hurt the fans.

In the meantime, I see Graeme Souness wants to bring Paul Dickov to Ewood this summer and I think that could be a great move for the club.

In many respects, Dickov reminds me of David Speedie.

Both are busy players with an eye for goal and they're prepared to run their hearts out for the team.

I didn't get the chance to play up front with Speedie too often but when I did, I loved it.

His phenomenal work-rate put defenders under pressure and that created space and opportunities for me.

Dickov looks like a similar player and he could turn out to be a great foil for Jonathan Stead.

Although he's not in the very top bracket of Premiership strikers, he's proven at this level and he does score goals. At £150,000 he looks a snip so lets hope Graeme Souness's famous powers of persuasion do the trick.