Rio Ferdinand is likely to deliver a hammer blow to Leeds United and their manager Terry Venables today by confirming his desire to move to Manchester United for what would amount to a British record £30 million transfer.
The England centre half is currently considering his future having met Venables on Sunday after returning from a short break in Nice.
Ferdinand emerged from that meeting stressing that he was faced with "a huge dilemma" and had "the toughest decision" of his life ahead of him, but it seems increasingly likely that the 23-year-old will take his first step towards following Lee Bowyer out of Elland Road by telling Leeds officials he wants to leave.
It may only be 20 months since Leeds paid £18 million for his services, but his barnstorming displays at the World Cup whetted Ferdinand's appetite with the desire for silverware and Champions League football.
The centre half currently earns £30,000 a week at Elland Road and has four years remaining on his contract, but would be prepared to forgo a £1 million loyalty bonus to move over the Pennines, where he should be able to double his wages.
<img src="graemlins/smirk.gif" border="0" alt="[Smirk]" />
The England centre half is currently considering his future having met Venables on Sunday after returning from a short break in Nice.
Ferdinand emerged from that meeting stressing that he was faced with "a huge dilemma" and had "the toughest decision" of his life ahead of him, but it seems increasingly likely that the 23-year-old will take his first step towards following Lee Bowyer out of Elland Road by telling Leeds officials he wants to leave.
It may only be 20 months since Leeds paid £18 million for his services, but his barnstorming displays at the World Cup whetted Ferdinand's appetite with the desire for silverware and Champions League football.
The centre half currently earns £30,000 a week at Elland Road and has four years remaining on his contract, but would be prepared to forgo a £1 million loyalty bonus to move over the Pennines, where he should be able to double his wages.
<img src="graemlins/smirk.gif" border="0" alt="[Smirk]" />
