The Guardian:
‘Rio Ferdinand is likely to deliver a hammer blow to Leeds United and their manager Terry Venables today by confirming his desire to move to Manchester United for what would amount to a British record £30m transfer.'
The Mirror:
‘LEEDS are resigned to losing Rio Ferdinand to Manchester United and have lined up Argentina defender Roberto Ayala as his replacement. Old Trafford insiders insist the deal to lure away the Yorkshire club's captain will be done by Friday. New Leeds coach Terry Venables has moved swiftly to soften the blow by approaching vastly-experienced Valencia centre-back Ayala. Players and officials at Old Trafford have been told the England star will arrive by Friday, with a deal now looking almost certain.'
The Sun:
‘RIO FERDINAND is heading out of Leeds because he has been made an offer he could not refuse. And I am not talking about the £60,000-a-week deal Manchester United will throw his way if they can conjure up the £35million they will need to take him away from Elland Road. Finances simply do not come into this mega transfer — a move which Ferdinand has genuinely agonised over since his meeting with new Leeds boss Terry Venables on Sunday.
Sure, almost doubling your weekly wage would appeal to anybody. But the attraction for Ferdinand, 23, is one that I would very firmly suggest would be impossible for 99.9 per cent of the world's top footballers to reject. And that is playing for Manchester United.
Love them or loathe them, there is just no getting away from the fact that they are the most glamorous club on the planet.'
The MEN notes how close Rio is to members of United's squad and ignores the fact that United have a CL qualifying game to negotiate:
‘Rio Ferdinand's D-Day has arrived and Manchester United's glamour package is set to prove irresistible. The £30m-plus rated Leeds and England defender is Sir Alex Ferguson's number one target and the Reds could double the 23-year-old's wages and offer guaranteed Champions League football this season.
Ferdinand has also struck up a strong friendship at the World Cup with David Beckham and was holidaying up to the weekend in America with Wes Brown.
Leeds won't shift on his current pay deal, where Ferdinand is not the top earner, but United could double his wages and still not upset the applecart at the top end of the Old Trafford salary scale.'
Harry Redknapp:
Redknapp told Sky Sports News: "Terry Venables coming in has made it very difficult for him because Rio has got a lot of respect for Terry. But I think he may lean towards Man United. It is THE club and I think if he wants to further his career and play on the biggest stage, I think that's the place to play. "I get a feeling that he may just sway towards Man United."
Mark Lawrenson:
‘RIO FERDINAND does not have a difficult decision to make - the truth is that he must go to Old Trafford for the sake of his career. When Manchester United come calling, they are the one club in the country - possibly Europe - that you cannot ignore. If you do, you will look back on such an opportunity as the biggest regret of your career. Just ask the likes of Alan Shearer, Darren Anderton and Matt Jansen. That is why Ferdinand will surely leave Leeds.
All Ferdinand has to say is: "I want to go somewhere to win things" and the majority of fans will accept his decision. And all the signs are that Ferdinand has already made up his mind because he has failed to reassure Terry Venables since he took over as manager at Leeds last week. Furthermore, Ferdinand has dropped way short of pledging his long- term future to Elland Road as it is clear that he would relish the chance to move to Old Trafford.'