Leeds reject £29m offer on Rio

LEEDS and Manchester United were last night locked in negotiations over Rio Ferdinand's future after the Elland Road club rejected a second bid for the England defender.

Manchester United contacted Leeds yesterday with an improved offer for Ferdinand, following their original £20million bid which was rejected out of hand.

The second offer is believed to have been around £29million, but Leeds rejected that bid for their 23-year-old captain too, even though it would have been a British transfer record.

Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale said: ''I have had one conversation with them (Manchester United) today but it did not move the situation on any further. We have still to receive a bid of a level that we would find acceptable.''

It is understood Manchester United were last night preparing an even higher bid, mindful of the fact that unless they agree a fee Ferdinand will fly out on Leeds' pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia.

Ferdinand, who signed for Leeds from West Ham for £18million in November 2000 a record between British clubs will be looking to double his £35,000-a-week wages if, as now seems certain, he moves down the M62 to Manchester.

His decision to move will be a major disappointment to new Leeds boss Terry Venables, who was hoping to build his team around the England defender.

Meanwhile, Lee Bowyer should finally complete his £9million move to Liverpool on Monday, according to Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale.

Liverpool and Leeds agreed on the fee last week only for the transfer to run into difficulties this week over the player's personal terms.

Bowyer reportedly wants more than the £35,000-a-week personal terms Liverpool have offered, while he is also said to be in dispute with Leeds over the payment of a £1million legal bill from his two trials.

The controversial midfielder was missing when Liverpool flew out to France this morning ahead of tonight's opening pre-season friendly against Le Havre.

Ridsdale believes everything should be resolved for the 25-year-old to sign on the dotted line for Liverpool on Monday. He said; ''I'm hoping it's going to be completed over the weekend with a view to signing on Monday. As far as we're concerned the deal is done between the two clubs.

''We've given him a passport out of Leeds and wished him well.''

If the deal is finalised on Monday, Bowyer will then join up with his new team-mates at Liverpool's pre-season training camp in Switzerland.