The Rio Ferdinand transfer saga continues to rumble on and as we await a decision from the England defender, Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale has blasted the continued speculation surrounding Manchester United's interest in his prized asset, insisting that any offer will be rejected.
Ridsdales patience is wearing thin and he says: "Someone, somewhere seems to be conducting this whole business through the media and I find that very disturbing. How can I respond to anything when, as far as I am concerned, Rio is a contracted player with Leeds United? The only thing I can confirm is that if Rio Ferdinand hands in a transfer request, it will be turned down.
"We've had no offers for Rio Ferdinand so it amazes me he has a choice to make. He is going nowhere. Where does he think he is going - into thin air?' It is really time the whole matter was laid to rest so that Terry Venables can start his pre-season preparations in earnest, knowing which players he has got to work with.
One player he is unlikely to start the season with is Lee Bowyer whose proposed move to Liverpool is still on the cards. Todays papers report that the deal has hit a stumbling block over his wage demands but we understand talks are still on-going and that a decision could be made later today.
Gerard Houllier has been busy during the close season, bringing in Bruno Cheyrou, Alou Diarra and El-Hadji Diouf, and he remains confident of adding Bowyer to his talented squad whilst hinting that another Senegal World Cup star, Salif Diao, should be at the club by Christmas.
Another player likely to be on the way out of Elland Road is defender Michael Duberry who has handed in a transfer request, despite the arrival of Ell Tel, because he has become frustrated with the lack of first team opportunities in recent seasons.
Duberry only signed a five-year deal with Leeds in December but is determined to move on and there has already been interest, allegedly, from Blackburn, Bolton and Everton.
Hard-up Chelsea, meanwhile, could be set to cash in on their most saleable asset Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink who is being linked with a £20million move to Barcelona, although the Spanish club – like Chelsea – must cut their wage bill before any deal can go ahead.
Everton are said to be chasing Turkeys impressive keeper Recber Rustu, and the Daily Mirror claims that the Toffees have already opened talks with the World Cup stars club, Fenerbahce, having failed in their bid to land Derbys Estonian number one Mart Poom.
Birmingham boss Steve Bruce, who yesterday completed the signing of former Wimbledon defender Kenny Cunningham, is still in the hunt for his old Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison and seems determined to get his man, despite also being in the market for Panathinaikos Polish striker Emmanuel
Olisadebe.
"Supporters must be fed up that we seem to get linked with every player in the world,' Bruce told the Birmingham Evening Mail. "I never ever try to pick out names of those I am after because it just alerts other clubs and you could end up with egg on your face. Make no mistake, if I think I can get the right player then I will act.'
Middlesbrough, still hoping to persuade Juninho to return to Teesside, are said to be stepping up their interest in French midfielder Edouard Cisse who has been quoted in the French press as saying: "This is the move I want. I feel that Middlesbrough is right for me. I want to play for McClaren.' Boro are also chasing Odd Grenlands Norway Under-19 international Martin Wiig.
