Home>News Center>Sports
         
 

Ferguson urges Rio to sign new deal
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-04-20 09:10

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson wants Rio Ferdinand to kill off any more speculation that he might move to Chelsea by signing a new contract with the Red Devils.


Rio Ferdinand's agent has told Manchester United to prove they want to keep the England international by offering him a deal worthy of 'the best central defender in the world'. [AFP]
Ferdinand says he wants to stay at Old Trafford and the Blues have indicated they have no interest in signing the England centre back.

But the defender's meetings with Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon at two different London restaurants last week have fuelled speculation that a transfer might happen at the end of the season even though Ferdinand has two years left on his current contract.

"The best thing Rio Ferdinand can do is sign his contract and put the matter to bed," Ferguson said Tuesday. "He says he wants to sign for the club and now he has an opportunity to do just that. We have offered him a good deal, hopefully something can be done in the next few days."

The problem could be Ferdinand's wage demands.

Newspaper reports say that the player's agent, Pini Zahavi, wants Manchester United to make Ferdinand the highest-earning defender in world soccer on 120,000 pounds ($286,085 Cdn) a week. He would also overtake Roy Keane, who earns 100,000 pounds ($238,325 Cdn) a week as United's highest earner.

If United holds out for something less, then Ferdinand might have a problem. The club will point out it stood by the defender when he was serving an eight-month ban for failing to show up for a random drug test.



A farewell to Armstrong
Rockets beat Clippers 115-90, win 6th straight
Manchester United crush Newcastle 4-1, ease into the FA CUP final
 
  Today's Top News     Top Sports News
 

Two Americans get jail for DVD piracy

 

   
 

FM: Annan's advice taken on board

 

   
 

German cardinal becomes Pope Benedict XVI

 

   
 

Tokyo court rejects appeal of war victims

 

   
 

Toothpaste cancer scare spotlighted

 

   
 

Safety must improve as air travel grows

 

   
  Manchester United to bring full squad to Hong Kong
   
  Ferrero, Moya dig deep to win in Barcelona
   
  Yao, McGrady help Rockets win 6th straight
   
  Armstrong to retire after Tour de France
   
  Hao Haidong scores his first goal in England
   
  Rogge: no sports will be cut from Summer Olympics
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
Advertisement