Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale believes Rio Ferdinand's future could be resolved by tomorrow, and he stressed he will not let the intense club rivalry with Manchester United interfere with any transfer dealings.
Ridsdale had a meeting with the player he regards as the best defender in the world at Leeds' training ground at Thorpe Arch near Wetherby this afternoon, where Ferdinand reiterated his desire to move to Old Trafford.
Although no new offer was received from Manchester United today, or any other club for that matter, after the meeting Ridsdale indicated the matter of Ferdinand's position at Leeds could be sorted out by tomorrow night.
That is made even more likely by the fact Leeds are due to fly to the Far East on Saturday for a pre-season tour. Sir Alex Ferguson will be keen to move fast to ensure Ferdinand is not among the tour party.
Ridsdale said: "I had an amicable and constructive meeting with Rio today 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."
Ridsdale also made clear that Manchester United's place as the Yorkshire club's fiercest rivals will be no obstacle to them signing the 23-year-old England defender.
He said: "I do not treat any club different to any other. It would be wrong to do so under any circumstances."
The next move is for Manchester United to make. Their first offer of £20million made several weeks ago was dismissed as "derisory", and it now remains to be seen whether they will go above the magical £30million mark or try to bargain for a lower price.
Ridsdale reiterated his desire not to sell Ferdinand but at the same time made it clear Leeds would do so for the right price.
He added: "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."
After the meeting, Ferdinand roared off in his dark-blue Ferrari without giving a comment, but his agent Pinhas Zahavi said the talks had been frank and useful.
Zahavi 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."
Zahavi said Ferdinand would travel on Leeds' Far East tour if matters had not been settled by Saturday.
"He will have to," he said. "He's under contract, there's no option and if nothing happens between the two clubs by then, he will go."
PA