MIDDLESBROUGH face a massive fight to hang on to Gareth Southgate after Leeds identified the defender as their top target to replace Rio Ferdinand.

As Ferdinand was discussing personal terms with Manchester United last night over a British record £30m move, Leeds manager Terry Venables was telling chairman Peter Ridsdale that he wanted to take Southgate to Elland Road to fill the void created by his captain's imminent departure.

Venables, armed with a transfer war chest of at least £15m after United finally agreed a fee yesterday for Ferdinand, has given Ridsdale a list of players that he aims to lure to Leeds.

He is also keen on Jaap Stam, although his unwillingness to uproot his family again less than a year after leaving United for Lazio means Southgate is a more realistic target.

Venables would also like to sign either Darren Anderton or Brett Emerton, a one-time target of Newcastle, as he looks to replace right-sided midfielder Lee Bowyer - who is still likely to leave Leeds soon, despite the collapse of his £9m move to Liverpool yesterday.

But Middlesbrough fans will be aghast to learn that captain Southgate, the rock upon whom Steve McClaren was hoping to build his team this season, figures highly on Leeds' hit list.

Southgate, 31, was an inspired £6m signing from Aston Villa last year, and his partnership with Ugo Ehiogu at the heart of the Boro defence played a major role in their resurgence in the second half of the campaign and their march to the FA Cup semi-final.

But he was said last month to be unhappy at Boro, despite claims to the contrary by McClaren, and Leeds can offer European football and a better chance of silverware.

Venables holds Southgate in high esteem, having brought him into the England set-up in 1995.

With Venables the national team coach Southgate started every Euro '96 game, including the fateful semi against Germany when the centre-back missed a penalty in the shoot-out to send England spinning out of the tournament.

Now Venables wants to link up again with Southgate as he contemplates an Elland Road future without Ferdinand.

Ridsdale said: "Terry and I have agreed a list in the last few weeks and I will be working hard for the rest of the week to try to bring those players in.

"A number of players will come in, and I have already contacted a few of the clubs involved.

"Leeds fans will be excited at the players who will make up our squad at the start of the season.

"Terry knows how much he has to invest and he will do so in the next few days so he can have a real tilt at the title."

Ferdinand will have a medical in Manchester today before completing the formalities of his deal - a world record transfer for a defender.

Ridsdale said: "I'm not happy as a Leeds fan because I didn't want Rio to leave.

"But when your captain says he wants to leave you have to listen - and I think we've got the best price available.

"I'm satisfied I've done the best job for Leeds United. If you invest £18m and get £30m you've done a good job - especially if the player says he doesn't want to play for you again."

Bowyer was hastily trying to rebuild bridges at Elland Road last night after Gerard Houllier delivered a damning rebuke to the midfielder.

After spending a week trying to persuade Bowyer to lower his wage demands of more than £40,000 a week, a curt statement read: "Liverpool Football Club have decided not to go ahead with the proposed transfer of Lee Bowyer for a variety of reasons.

"Manager Gerard Houllier was not convinced the player had either the hunger or desire to play for the club, qualities which are essential for any Liverpool player."

Bowyer must now return to a club where he said his goodbyes just a few days ago, believing he would be joining Liverpool.

He responded: "I never asked to go on the transfer list and made it clear to Mr Ridsdale that I had reservations when they accepted Liverpool's bid.

"It is probably in the best interest of all parties that the deal did not go through.

"The arrival of Terry Venables was also a major factor in my thinking that this was not the right time to be leaving Elland Road.

"With the players we have and with Venables as manager, I genuinely believe we have an excellent chance of winning something this season."

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