FROM WWW.SOCCERNET.COM


Ferdinand to miss Leeds tour

Leeds star Rio Ferdinand has withdrawn from the club's pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia - increasing speculation that he will move to Manchester United for a British record transfer fee.

And reports indicate that Leeds have given the Old Trafford club until noon on Sunday to match their valuation of the player.

Ferdinand, who has seen a transfer request rejected by Elland Road chairman Peter Ridsdale, is believed to have been the subject of a £30million bid from United - although Ridsdale insists no 'acceptable' offer has been received.

United are thought to have warned that they would scrap any possible move if Ferdinand had joined the Leeds tour.

But Ridsdale says the former West Ham defender will not be travelling because of the pressure caused by speculation over his future.

Ferdinand has complained of feeling 'mentally fatigued and unable to play football'.

And a statement from the Leeds chairman added: 'Rio Ferdinand 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 programme at our Thorp Arch training ground.'

Leeds say negotiations over Ferdinand will continue - subject to any further bids from Old Trafford which meet their valuation of the player.

Ferdinand's Elland Road team-mate Mark Viduka said: 'Is he going to go? That's the million dollar question.

'He's got to make the decision. He knows what's best for him.'

Thats not new news everyone here in the Uk knowz about that.........it just means he definately is NOT going to Man.utd! I was going to do a thread about that.

What are you talking about silver boots, how does it mean that he's not going to Manchester United?


Anyway, i think that peter Risdale is a Crook, he's holing United to Ransom. He's been in the press every day saying how pathetic United's bids have been but he's the poor one:p

I agree with Bex7, what are you talking about Silver boots????????????:crazyboy: If anything it means the opposite to what you said, more like it means he is going to Man U

Ferdinand has complained of being "mentally fatigued and unable to play football" and has remained in England for assessment by the club's doctors. ..... Yeah, too true, after all he couldn't really sign up for a deal if he was suffering a boring pre season tour of the far east".

Publicity" Pete is hanging in there untill the bid hits 30 million quid, Ferdinand will then make an amazing recovery from his mental fatigue, and why shouldn't he, grin,grin the big bucks are a comin' in, the leeds shareholders will be doin' cartwheels over the deal, the Leeds fans will be on the brink of mutiny, with many of them moving down the road to follow non league, hassle free football, Man Utd will have at least one decent defender and we Liverpool fans won't really care cos' we are going ok, or something like that.
:D