RIO FERDINAND was last night poised to snub Peter Ridsdale's last-ditch pleas and turn his back on Elland Road.
With Manchester United waiting in the wings with a bid in the region of £25m, which they could make today, Ferdinand emerged from a meeting with Leeds chairman Ridsdale adamant that his future lies at Old Trafford.
Ridsdale dashed back from a family holiday in Monaco in a desperate attempt to persuade Ferdinand, 23, to change his mind after he asked for a transfer on Wednesday.
But as the defender drove away from Leeds' Thorp Arch training complex without making any comment, he remained unmoved in his determination to join United.
While his Leeds teammates fly out to the Far East tomorrow for their pre-season tour, Ferdinand is likely to remain in England as his club thrash out what will probably be a British record transfer to Old Trafford.
Ridsdale, who privately has become resigned to losing his captain during the last few days, believes the situation could be clarified today.
He said: "I had an amicable and constructive meeting with Rio at the training ground and I spoke to some of the other players, too.
"I hope I can soon go back on holiday to rejoin my family in Monaco, depending how the next 24 hours turns out.
"I stress that we do not wish to sell Rio under any circumstances and would like to see him fulfil the contract he signed in November 2000.
"I also stress that Leeds United have not received a bid from any club that would come anywhere near meeting the valuation we put on a player we believe to be the world's best defender.
"Rio has assured me that if the position remains as it is, he will give his full commitment as a player and captain of Leeds United."
Ferdinand's agent Pinhas Zahavi insisted the talks between his client and Ridsdale, who claimed he would not stand in the way of a deal with United because of the two clubs' great rivalry, had been frank and useful.
He said: "The situation remains as it was and it is now a matter between the two clubs.
"Rio had a good, open meeting with the Leeds chairman and now we must wait to see what develops.
"If nothing has happened between the two clubs by Saturday, Rio will go on the tour."
Leeds midfielder Olivier Dacourt, a £15m target for Juventus, last night said Arsenal want him.
However, Dacourt's insistence a deal must be concluded before tomorrow is likely to preclude the Double winners from signing him.
He said: "Other than Juventus, Arsenal are also interested, but I need to know very soon.
"I don't want to join a squad just before the start of the league season. Therefore, it's clear on my part that I will leave by Saturday or I'll stay at Leeds. After that, in my head, I won't want to go.
"Discussions are continuing, and I am affected by time because we're leaving soon with Leeds for a 15-day tour of Australia and Hong Kong."
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