Rio Ferdinand is understood to have provisionally agreed a new deal with Manchester United that will keep him at Old Trafford for the next five years.

Lord Stevens was wrong to point the finger at agents in his inquiry into Premier League transfers without hard evidence, according to former Football Association compliance officer Graham Bean.

Lord Stevens’ long-awaited report into alleged illegal payments clears all Premier League clubs of paying or receiving bungs - but the report raises separate concerns about two managers and a number of agents.

ENGLAND coach Steve McClaren has called on his players to make the fans proud of them again.

Sven-Goran Eriksson believes England‘s World Cup plans were wrecked because players were jealous of the status of David Beckham.

FIFA are set to re-open their file on ‘super agent’ Pini Zahavi to see if he broke any rules in the Ashley Cole tapping-up affair.

ALEX FERGUSON has warned Rio Ferdinand that his contract stand-off is having a negative effect on Manchester United’s pre-season preparations.

Manchester United officials remain relaxed about securing Rio Ferdinand on a long-term contract even though his advisor Pini Zahavi claims talks over a new deal have reached deadlock.

The Premier League remain hopeful of hearing Ashley Cole’s appeal against his fine for making an illegal approach to Chelsea before the start of the new season.

Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira allegedly told Ashley Cole he should not “settle for less than £80,000 (€118,000) a week” in his new contract negotiations, it has been revealed.

ASHLEY COLE’S agent, Jonathan Barnett, last night vowed to clear the names of himself and his client as the Arsenal defender’s legal team finalised an appeal against his £100,000 Premier League fine.

Mark Bradley

Ashley Cole arrived at Premier League headquarters today for the verdict which could see himself, Chelsea and Jose Mourinho punished after allegations the Premiership champions ‘tapped up’ the England and Arsenal defender.

CHELSEA could face one of the biggest financial penalties ever handed out in football when the verdict is announced today over their alleged illegal approach for Ashley Cole.

ALEX FERGUSON last night issued a blunt message to Rio Ferdinand when he told the under-fire defender: ‘Sign your contract’.

Sir Alex Ferguson tonight issued a blunt message to Rio Ferdinand when he told the under-fire defender: ‘Sign your contract’.

Manchester United have been challenged to give Rio Ferdinand a contract that recognises him as “the best central defender in the world”.

Rio Ferdinand’s agent has admitted the Manchester United has a long-standing ambition to play abroad.

Chelsea have distanced themselves from newspaper reports that a possible transfer swoop for Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand is in the offing.

The Premier League today charged Arsenal full-back Ashley Cole for making an alleged illegal approach to rivals Chelsea.

THE Ashley Cole tapping inquiry faces the prospect of being fatally undermined after it emerged that the key witness will not be able to give evidence.

NEWCASTLE’S hopes of landing Portsmouth striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu remain in the balance despite claims that the deal is already done.

Football agent Pini Zahavi has denied any knowledge of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s reported approach to Alex Ferguson.

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON has assured Claudio Ranieri he has no intention of replacing him at Chelsea, as the Swede restated his determination to stay on as England boss until at least next summer.

FOR all of Alex Ferguson’s dogged insistence that Juan Sebastian Veron is staying at Manchester United there is more than a sneaking suspicion his words are mere bluster.

A suicide bomber killed himself and two others at an attack near the entrance to a Jewish settlement in the West Bank.

LEEDS chairman Peter Ridsdale believes Rio Ferdinand's future could be resolved by today, and he stressed he will not let the intense club rivalry with Manchester United interfere with any transfer dealings.

Talks between Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale and Rio Ferdinand could settle the England defender’s future today.

Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale has cut short his holiday in France to have a showdown meeting with Rio Ferdinand tomorrow, but he has conceded he may be forced to sell the England defender if Manchester United come up with the money.

Rio Ferdinand would be ‘‘very happy’’ to join Manchester United because he wants to play for a ‘‘bigger and better club’’ than Leeds.