Ferdinand 'deal' meets with united rebuttal

Leeds United and Manchester United took the unusual step of issuing a joint statement yesterday to refute a claim that Rio Ferdinand was moving to Old Trafford.

A report claimed that the 23-year-old England defender was set for a £25m move, adding that he had been sent a copy of the proposed contract for a seven-year deal worth £60,000 per week, rising to £110,000.

The statement read: "No deal has been struck between the clubs and contrary to the story... Manchester United wish to point out that they have not made an illegal approach by forwarding a contract to Rio Ferdinand in Japan or a list of houses in Cheshire for his perusal... Leeds United are taking legal advice regarding the totally false allegation that £4m remains outstanding from Rio Ferdinand's transfer from West Ham. Leeds paid West Ham £12m on signing the player and the balance of the fee was paid in full... on the first anniversary of Rio's recruitment, last November."

A Spanish newspaper has reported that United are to offer Real Madrid around £38m for Brazil's Roberto Carlos. "It's true that Manchester wants me," the wing-back, who has three years left on his contract, is reported to have said. "[Sir Alex] Ferguson has spoken to me on various occasions and has told me that he likes me as a player." The report added that officials would travel from Old Trafford this week to table the offer.