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July 17, 2002 (Wednesday) from Jonathan Wodogate
Club
Woodgate can ease
pain of Rio departure
RIO FERDINAND is expected to open
the door for a £35m move to Manchester United this morning by revealing
that he wants to leave Leeds United.
New manager Terry Venables is already considering the merits of signing a
world-class defender such as Argentinian international Roberto Ayala or Italy's
Alessandro Nesta.
However, Ferdinand's replacement is waiting in the wings at Elland Road.
Venables is convinced that the new season will witness the re-emergence of
Jonathan Woodgate as a centre- back of international class.
Woodgate burst into the England squad three years ago but his subsequent
involvement in a high-profile court case threatened to derail his career for
good.
Completing 100 hours community service for affray, Woodgate missed the end of
last season after suffering a broken jaw during 'horseplay' with a friend.
Venables is now tipping the 22-year-old to make up for lost time and help ease
the pain of Ferdinand's probable departure.
"I have got no worries about Jonathan whatsover. I have spoken to him and I
think his frame of mind is terrific," said Venables. "I have always
thought that he was a good player and nothing that has gone on has changed my
opinion.
"He looks good in training and this could be a big season for him,"
Venables added.
Leeds are likely to have a new central defensive duo, with Woodgate partnering a
new arrival.
Spanish club Valencia will accept a fee in the region of £10m for Ayala
who is in the final year of his contract.
Although a regular at the heart of the Argentine defence for the last few years,
the 29-year-old missed this summer's World Cup due to injury.
Italian star Nesta would cost around £25m from Lazio and his
representatives held talks with Manchester United this summer amid talk of a
move to the Premiership.
Leeds have stressed that they will not agree to transfer-list club captain
Ferdinand or offer to increase his wages ¡V but also know they cannot win by
holding on to an unhappy player.
That leaves the ball firmly in the court of Manchester United manager Sir Alex
Ferguson who, having had an earlier tentative enquiry rebuffed, has not tabled
any offer for the 23-year-old.
Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale has become increasingly annoyed with the way
transfer speculation surrounding Ferdinand has been conducted in the media this
summer and was reluctant to comment yesterday on
further stories which added fuel to the fire.
Venables held a lengthy meeting with Ferdinand at the weekend prior to departing
for a holiday in the Seychelles.
He urged the player to stay and become a "Leeds legend" but Ferdinand
is not convinced that he can win more silverware at Elland Road than at Old
Trafford.
By insisting on an early end to his £40,000-a-week contract with Leeds
which still has four years to run, Ferdinand will surrender a £1m loyalty
bonus ¡V a loss he would be likely to recoup as part of a bigger deal
elsewhere.
Leeds will demand a fee between £30-£40m for a defender who is now
rated as one of the best in the world.
The sale, although unpopular with supporters, will reduce debts of £77m
and Venables, under orders to raise £15m by the start of the season, will
then have money to spend.
Centre-back Michael Duberry has already told Venables that he wants to leave the
club for regular first-team football.
Agent Phil Graham said: "It's nothing to do with the new manager ¡V this
is how he's felt for a long time. He feels he needs first-team football."
Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers and Everton are all interested.
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