Originally posted by An Extremely Boring Man:
<strong>Apparently Leeds only want £10m for Rio
Plus the £20m we still owe them for Eric
</strong><hr></blockquote>Absolute classic.
Rio Ferdinand Saga. (RIO ASKS FOR TRANSFER)
- Thread starter Amir
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Bugger. Everything was so perfect, we were going to sign Rio and I was going to spend a relaxing weekend in a friend's island off the coast of Rio.
Now it looks more like I will be stuck in that stupid island with no means to know what the feck is going on and totally obsessed with what happened with that stupid Leeds tour. What are they going to the Far East for anyway? Does anyone seriously want to watch them?
So much for my relaxing weekend, it's going to be hell.
Now it looks more like I will be stuck in that stupid island with no means to know what the feck is going on and totally obsessed with what happened with that stupid Leeds tour. What are they going to the Far East for anyway? Does anyone seriously want to watch them?
So much for my relaxing weekend, it's going to be hell.
You got a whole Rio thing goin' on dontcha Anto?
Originally posted by True Treble Reds:
<strong>You got a whole Rio thing goin' on dontcha Anto?
Yep, Rio is screwing up my weekend in Rio. I don't know, what time is the stupid plane meant to leave?
All I heard was 'Saturday morning' so, I guess before noon GMT.
Be a bit tasty if he was in the stands at the Shelbourne game wouldn't it!
Originally posted by True Treble Reds:
<strong>Be a bit tasty if he was in the stands at the Shelbourne game wouldn't it!
I would love it. It would mean everything has been sorted, which means there would be news early tomorrow morning (before 11am there) which I could get here before getting on the yacht and sailing off to my weekend in Monkey Island.
I can't see him refusing to fly, it can't get that far because Fergie would be stuck then, he would have to pay up or risk being the least fancied manager to play for after Rio gets skinned alive for it.
Veron004, I'm really sorry about your brother
Autohan...The plane leaves for the tour at 9am Saturday morning and contrary to popular opinion here people do actually want to watch them because other clubs exist other than Man Utd
Rio shouldn't have let his agent make so many bridge burning statments..the noises Rio has made are more diplomatic but his agent has been very bullish. Bad move. Because people are saying Rio's position is untenable and he can't stay with Leeds. Well if Leeds don't sell he will have to or else make a huge statement by digging his heels in.
But at this stage, with 18 months served of a 6 year contract Rio would be best not digging his heels in.
Man Utd should have spent less time trying to unsettle Rio and more time investigating how much Leeds would accept because they surely have led Rio down a garden path where he looks like an idiot now.
But then anyone who takes 48 hours to consider their future when no bid has been made, then hands in a transfer request and waits for bids to happen...whilst telling the media exactly who they want to bid for them and why...and expecting for it to all just run smoothly...is surely a pretty big idiot anyway.
Rio jumped the gun and Leeds are going to make him sweat until they get what they want...and it's not the end of the world if he's not sold now.
Wouldn't it have been better if Rio had just sat tight and Man Utd have put in a bid without Rio making the transfer request? There would be less mess than there is now.
Autohan...The plane leaves for the tour at 9am Saturday morning and contrary to popular opinion here people do actually want to watch them because other clubs exist other than Man Utd
Rio shouldn't have let his agent make so many bridge burning statments..the noises Rio has made are more diplomatic but his agent has been very bullish. Bad move. Because people are saying Rio's position is untenable and he can't stay with Leeds. Well if Leeds don't sell he will have to or else make a huge statement by digging his heels in.
But at this stage, with 18 months served of a 6 year contract Rio would be best not digging his heels in.
Man Utd should have spent less time trying to unsettle Rio and more time investigating how much Leeds would accept because they surely have led Rio down a garden path where he looks like an idiot now.
But then anyone who takes 48 hours to consider their future when no bid has been made, then hands in a transfer request and waits for bids to happen...whilst telling the media exactly who they want to bid for them and why...and expecting for it to all just run smoothly...is surely a pretty big idiot anyway.
Rio jumped the gun and Leeds are going to make him sweat until they get what they want...and it's not the end of the world if he's not sold now.
Wouldn't it have been better if Rio had just sat tight and Man Utd have put in a bid without Rio making the transfer request? There would be less mess than there is now.
I say forget Rio. United should play Brown and O'Shea in the back and see what the kids can do.
Well, back after six hours of sleep... <img src="graemlins/yawn.gif" border="0" alt="[Yawn]" />
Most news sources claim it's 'unlikely' Ferdinand will travel. But it seems more like an educated guess than true knowledge.
Most news sources claim it's 'unlikely' Ferdinand will travel. But it seems more like an educated guess than true knowledge.
fergie hasnt travelled with united today
Originally posted by An Extremely Boring Man:
<strong>Apparently Leeds only want £10m for Rio
Plus the £20m we still owe them for Eric
<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" /> good one
long live the king :united:
Football: Fergie teeing up talks with Rio as Ridsdale insists on £30m bid LEEDS SNUB £26m OFFER BUT UNITED WILL BREAK RECORD
Ian Edwards
MANCHESTER United expect to get the all-clear to open talks with Rio Ferdinand today after agreeing to break the £30million barrier for the Leeds United defender.
After day-long negotiations yesterday United inched closer to completing the biggest deal in British transfer history, despite having a second bid turned down by Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale.
United chief executive Peter Kenyon had a £26million offer rejected late on Thursday night, but after a series of telephone calls to Ridsdale, United are close to finally ending the transfer saga of the summer.
Ridsdale's refusal to budge on the £30million barrier forced United to increase their offer for a second time because of fears they may have to scrap the whole deal.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was concerned that if Ferdinand was to head off for a pre-season tour of China, Australia and Thailand today with the rest of his Leeds team-mates, he would have to abort plans to sign the England defender.
The signals from Old Trafford late last night were that they fully expect Ferdinand to stay behind and not board the 10.30am flight at Leeds-Bradford airport for a connecting flight to China and the first leg of the three-match tour.
United are confident of ending a six-week pursuit of the player who Ferguson admitted was his number one target. But they know they will have to break the British transfer record for the second summer in succession.
Ridsdale refused to budge on his valuation of Ferdinand yesterday and at one stage it looked as if Leeds had won the battle with their bitter rivals across the Pennines to hang on to their prized asset. Rumours from the Stock Exchange over a "price sensitive issue" which was affecting Manchester United plc's share price claimed that any deal would be called off unless a fee had been agreed by close of trading yesterday.
The continual saga of Ferdinand's move had hit United's share price, while that of Leeds had risen over the last two days.
But the rumours were dismissed by United spokesman Paddy Harveson. He said that the two parties are still moving closer to a deal and expect to have the issue concluded by the end of the weekend.
United are hopeful they will be in a position to make an announcement to the Stock Market by Tuesday at the latest after reluctantly agreeing to the Leeds demands.
Ridsdale has refused to budge on his stance that, unless United met his asking price, Ferdinand would be expected to honour his contract and leave with the rest of the squad for the 12-day trip.
It was made clear to Ferdinand, when he met Ridsdale on Thursday, that he must travel with Leeds if no agreement had been reached with United. Otherwise he would face disciplinary action for a breach of contract.
But now it appears that he will be given permission to stay behind and open negotiations over his pay demands at Old Trafford after getting his wish to join the rest of his England team-mates at the Theatre of Dreams.
United are ready to offer him £60,000 a week over five years, but Ferdinand says that it is the prospect of playing regularly in the Champions League that has persuaded him to quit Elland Road after less than two seasons. He has been disappointed at the two successive failures by Leeds to make it into Europe's elite competition.
He also believed that Leeds would fail again this coming season if they had to sell some of their better players.
Lee Bowyer will officially become a Liverpool player on Monday.
He will jet out to Switzerland on either Sunday or Monday to finalise the details of his Anfield contract, and will join the Liverpool training camp in Switzerland.
Speaking yesterday, his agent David Geiss said: "We have settled the situation with Leeds, and now all that remains is to sort out the fine print on the contract."
Bowyer was at the Leeds training ground yesterday, to say his goodbyes to team-mates and collect his belongings, after agreeing a deal over legal fees incurred during his two-year court case defending assault and affray charges.
Dirty Bowyer
He will not be joining the Leeds party that today flies out on tour, but has instead been given the green light to complete his £9million transfer to Liverpool.
Bowyer immediately left the Leeds training ground to travel to Liverpool.
But he could not complete his five-year deal, worth around £40,000 a week, because Anfield chief executive Rick Parry and manager Gerard Houllier had already left for a club friendly against Le Havre last night.
But Bowyer will travel to Switzerland in the next couple of days to finalise details and he will be unveiled on Monday as a Liverpool player.
Ian Edwards
MANCHESTER United expect to get the all-clear to open talks with Rio Ferdinand today after agreeing to break the £30million barrier for the Leeds United defender.
After day-long negotiations yesterday United inched closer to completing the biggest deal in British transfer history, despite having a second bid turned down by Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale.
United chief executive Peter Kenyon had a £26million offer rejected late on Thursday night, but after a series of telephone calls to Ridsdale, United are close to finally ending the transfer saga of the summer.
Ridsdale's refusal to budge on the £30million barrier forced United to increase their offer for a second time because of fears they may have to scrap the whole deal.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was concerned that if Ferdinand was to head off for a pre-season tour of China, Australia and Thailand today with the rest of his Leeds team-mates, he would have to abort plans to sign the England defender.
The signals from Old Trafford late last night were that they fully expect Ferdinand to stay behind and not board the 10.30am flight at Leeds-Bradford airport for a connecting flight to China and the first leg of the three-match tour.
United are confident of ending a six-week pursuit of the player who Ferguson admitted was his number one target. But they know they will have to break the British transfer record for the second summer in succession.
Ridsdale refused to budge on his valuation of Ferdinand yesterday and at one stage it looked as if Leeds had won the battle with their bitter rivals across the Pennines to hang on to their prized asset. Rumours from the Stock Exchange over a "price sensitive issue" which was affecting Manchester United plc's share price claimed that any deal would be called off unless a fee had been agreed by close of trading yesterday.
The continual saga of Ferdinand's move had hit United's share price, while that of Leeds had risen over the last two days.
But the rumours were dismissed by United spokesman Paddy Harveson. He said that the two parties are still moving closer to a deal and expect to have the issue concluded by the end of the weekend.
United are hopeful they will be in a position to make an announcement to the Stock Market by Tuesday at the latest after reluctantly agreeing to the Leeds demands.
Ridsdale has refused to budge on his stance that, unless United met his asking price, Ferdinand would be expected to honour his contract and leave with the rest of the squad for the 12-day trip.
It was made clear to Ferdinand, when he met Ridsdale on Thursday, that he must travel with Leeds if no agreement had been reached with United. Otherwise he would face disciplinary action for a breach of contract.
But now it appears that he will be given permission to stay behind and open negotiations over his pay demands at Old Trafford after getting his wish to join the rest of his England team-mates at the Theatre of Dreams.
United are ready to offer him £60,000 a week over five years, but Ferdinand says that it is the prospect of playing regularly in the Champions League that has persuaded him to quit Elland Road after less than two seasons. He has been disappointed at the two successive failures by Leeds to make it into Europe's elite competition.
He also believed that Leeds would fail again this coming season if they had to sell some of their better players.
Lee Bowyer will officially become a Liverpool player on Monday.
He will jet out to Switzerland on either Sunday or Monday to finalise the details of his Anfield contract, and will join the Liverpool training camp in Switzerland.
Speaking yesterday, his agent David Geiss said: "We have settled the situation with Leeds, and now all that remains is to sort out the fine print on the contract."
Bowyer was at the Leeds training ground yesterday, to say his goodbyes to team-mates and collect his belongings, after agreeing a deal over legal fees incurred during his two-year court case defending assault and affray charges.
Dirty Bowyer
He will not be joining the Leeds party that today flies out on tour, but has instead been given the green light to complete his £9million transfer to Liverpool.
Bowyer immediately left the Leeds training ground to travel to Liverpool.
But he could not complete his five-year deal, worth around £40,000 a week, because Anfield chief executive Rick Parry and manager Gerard Houllier had already left for a club friendly against Le Havre last night.
But Bowyer will travel to Switzerland in the next couple of days to finalise details and he will be unveiled on Monday as a Liverpool player.
Rio's not on the plane. BBC Radio 5 report at 9:25.
The report went on to say that Rio felt that with all the transfer speculation etc. he is too fatigued to play football.
Ridsdale says he will be training back at ER.
Ridsdale says he will be training back at ER.
Bite their hands off Ridsdale.Rio Ferdinand was conspicuous by his absence when the Leeds squad arrived at Leeds/Bradford Airport to set off for their pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia this morning.
The England defender has requested a transfer and last night Leeds revealed Manchester United had put in a £30million offer, which they rejected.
And Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale today revealed the player had asked to be excluded from the pre-season party.
He said in a statement: "Rio has told us that he feels the recent intense transfer speculation has left him mentally fatigued and unable to play football.
"He has asked to be omitted from the Leeds United tour of the Far East and Australia.
"We respect Rio's wishes and while the first-team squad are away, he will be assessed by our medical staff and continue his pre-season training program at our Thorp Arch training ground."
The England defender has requested a transfer and last night Leeds revealed Manchester United had put in a £30million offer, which they rejected.
And Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale today revealed the player had asked to be excluded from the pre-season party.
He said in a statement: "Rio has told us that he feels the recent intense transfer speculation has left him mentally fatigued and unable to play football.
"He has asked to be omitted from the Leeds United tour of the Far East and Australia.
"We respect Rio's wishes and while the first-team squad are away, he will be assessed by our medical staff and continue his pre-season training program at our Thorp Arch training ground."
Not sure whether it's Ridsdale talk to 'obviously we couldn't let him travel with a possible deal close' or that 'extra step' Raoul asked for.
Good news, nontheless.
Good news, nontheless.
Originally posted by marchingontogether:
<strong>
The continual saga of Ferdinand's move had hit United's share price, while that of Leeds had risen over the last two days.
How many shares do you hold?
so both rio and fergie havent travelled then
i think it may be done today
i think it may be done today
It seems to me that Risdale is a bit of a cheeky bastard! Before the world cup, he would have snatched AF's hand off if an offer of 20-25 million had been made! I can't see that Rio is 15million better since then.
He's also not got a lot of room to talk about contracts. Did he honour O'Leary's?
I'm beginning to think bollocks to it. Spend 10 million on Ayala, and put the rest towards Duff. Duff with the rest
He's also not got a lot of room to talk about contracts. Did he honour O'Leary's?
I'm beginning to think bollocks to it. Spend 10 million on Ayala, and put the rest towards Duff. Duff with the rest
Originally posted by Amir:
<strong>
How many shares do you hold?</strong><hr></blockquote>
A lot!..... but they cost me very little - I am not in it for a profit though.....it just feels good to own a bit of MY club who I have supported for 35 years
Originally posted by marchingontogether:
<strong>
A lot!..... but they cost me very little - I am not in it for a profit though.....it just feels good to own a bit of MY club who I have supported for 35 years
Yeah.
I wouldn't assume Leeds shares would cost a lot.
We must surely be beyond the point of no return now. Whether we bid 29m or 32m should be immaterial in the greater scheme of things. We still don't know what Leeds are asking for, maybe its 35m. With Rio not going on the tour it has strengthened our position, in that he will find it very difficult to settle back into the Leeds side if this deal falls through now. Leeds must realise this - he must already be history for them. Also Leeds are unlikely to see this type of money again, bearing in mind very few clubs, if any, can afford such an outlay. We're in a position to call their bluff and say 30m, take it or leave it. How much that will leave over for one or two others remains another matter however.
Oh and don't worry about the shares. That's only a short term blip - they will soon recover if we have a successful season with Rio on board.
Oh and don't worry about the shares. That's only a short term blip - they will soon recover if we have a successful season with Rio on board.
Originally posted by Amir:
<strong>
Don't think Ridsdale would have bitten anyone's hand with 20m before the tournament. 25m, maybe. Anyway, he's only trying to get the best out of his 'asset' as he was called. Can't really blame him for that, even though the rest of the things he does and say aren't too wise.
Please remember there were people here hoping Veron has a great World Cup... So if we can sell him we can get a higher price.
As for contracts, we know how it goes. They become of high importance only if you have them with someone you wish to hold or get something out of.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Well said - and DOL knew when he signed his contract that CL football was expected of him and as he failed to deliver he was shown the door...just like any other employee.
If the deal goes ahead for £30m+ I will be doing cartwheels....Rio is worth £25m at the very most and even that would have been a good profit on an investment of just £18m.
Ridsdale is not as daft as some of you think is he?
ball is back in leeds court now , because ferdinand did not go on the trip, we have more timew to play the haggling (right spelling)game.
marcher you have got to admit his latest words on rio not flying are pretty pathtic, why cant he just say talks are ongoing with united, hes just making himself look a bigger prick
Originally posted by marchingontogether:
<strong>If the deal goes ahead for £30m+ I will be doing cartwheels....Rio is worth £25m at the very most and even that would have been a good profit on an investment of just £18m.
Ridsdale is not as daft as some of you think is he?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Ridsdale isn't an idiot, he's just a horse trader with nice suits. And I wouldn't want him as the chairman of my club. Heck, I prefer Edwards!
Good thing none of them run United anyway!
As for the money, it's in the eye of the beholder. For us Rio probably is worth 30m... Like Zidane was worth 66m dollars for Real. Rio's British, young, extremly talented and can be a backbone of the defence for 10 years plus.
30m doesn't sound a lot really when you think of the total instability we've had at the back.
It's a bargain
Originally posted by RUDDY:
<strong>marcher you have got to admit his latest words on rio not flying are pretty pathtic, why cant he just say talks are ongoing with united, hes just making himself look a bigger prick</strong><hr></blockquote>
Ridsdales words....
"Rio has told us that he feels the recent intense transfer speculation has left him mentally fatigued and unable to play football.
"He has asked to be omitted from the Leeds United tour of the Far East and Australia.
"We respect Rio's wishes and while the first-team squad are away, he will be assessed by our medical staff and continue his pre-season training program at our Thorp Arch training ground."
Just which of HIS words do you find so pathetic....he is merely commenting on RIOS words.
He is still a Leeds player and as such will be at work with the others not going on the trip.
PR is not as daft as you think Ruddy.
Originally posted by marchingontogether:
<strong>
Ridsdales words....
"Rio has told us that he feels the recent intense transfer speculation has left him mentally fatigued and unable to play football.
"He has asked to be omitted from the Leeds United tour of the Far East and Australia.
"We respect Rio's wishes and while the first-team squad are away, he will be assessed by our medical staff and continue his pre-season training program at our Thorp Arch training ground."
Just which of HIS words do you find so pathetic....he is merely commenting on RIOS words.
He is still a Leeds player and as such will be at work with the others not going on the trip.
PR is not as daft as you think Ruddy.
you know thats a pack of shit mate, to be honest its laughable and yes i do think hes daft
mate your becoming a feeder club
Originally posted by marchingontogether:
<strong>
Well said - and DOL knew when he signed his contract that CL football was expected of him and as he failed to deliver he was shown the door...just like any other employee.
If the deal goes ahead for £30m+ I will be doing cartwheels....Rio is worth £25m at the very most and even that would have been a good profit on an investment of just £18m.
Ridsdale is not as daft as some of you think is he?
Do me a favour! If O'Leary was sacked for anything on the field, he would have gone at the end of last season, and if it's to do with dodgy remarks about the players involved in the court case, Risdale should have gone as well. Considering all he shite last season, O'Leary did OK! It seems to me he was shafted, to some tune!
And as far as Risdale being a sharp cookie, he has presided over Leeds getting themselves into a situation where they are having to sell half the team. Seems to me that they sacked the wrong one!
Originally posted by Amir:
<strong>
Ridsdale isn't an idiot, he's just a horse trader with nice suits. And I wouldn't want him as the chairman of my club. Heck, I prefer Edwards!
Good thing none of them run United anyway!
As for the money, it's in the eye of the beholder. For us Rio probably is worth 30m... Like Zidane was worth 66m dollars for Real. Rio's British, young, extremly talented and can be a backbone of the defence for 10 years plus.
30m doesn't sound a lot really when you think of the total instability we've had at the back.
It's a bargain
I agree Rio is a good signing for you as you certainly need someone to take charge at the back. However he is just one man and whilst I do agree he is a good player who will improve £30m is an inflated price because he had a good WC.
The bargain was had by Leeds at £18m...another sign that Ridsdale is not a mug.
Not wishing to go mad on Veron posts but do you think he is worth £28m? Yes or no really will do.
Originally posted by RUDDY:
<strong>
you know thats a pack of shit mate, to be honest its laughable and yes i do think hes daft
mate your becoming a feeder club
yeah taking over from west ham, they have manged to keep there top players so far.
is risdale a sheep in disguise????????? he feckin looks like one, that been sheared. <img src="graemlins/houllier.gif" border="0" alt="[Houllier]" /> <img src="graemlins/houllier.gif" border="0" alt="[Houllier]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" />
Originally posted by marchingontogether:
<strong>
If the deal goes ahead for £30m+ I will be doing cartwheels....Rio is worth £25m at the very most and even that would have been a good profit on an investment of just £18m.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
i doubt it mate... you'll be gutted and u know it!!
if RVN went for 50mil... i would't be chuffed or attempting to do cartwheels.
and no he isn't worth 30mil+, however if Rio is indeed the final piece in the jigsaw, his transfer will be money well spent... and i don't doubt that he'll be a success.......
I don't think Leeds fans will be happy seeing Ferdinand go. It was probably a bit of a shock when they found he cared more for us than for them.
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