According to the latest news, Rio Ferdinand is in no hurry to talk about his future at Manchester United, his current deal runs out in the summer of 2009. The concern for many supporters is that Rio's last deal was protracted and only agreed after 16 long months of negotiations, added to which the England defender has stated his desire to play on the continent before he retires. With such a short time frame to iron-out any new deal there must be a strong possibility that Ferdinand could leave on a free transfer next summer.
If United are keen to tie Rio down to a new long-term deal, then what on earth have they been doing allowing him to run down the clock? That is a question that many United fans will be asking on hearing this news. Ferdinand and Vidic have formed arguably the best central partnership in European club football, to break that up would be costly, if not act of madness, though the club could well be powerless to prevent it from happening if the player is set on moving to pastures new.
We the fans have been led to believe that the reason for the delay in talks over this new deal is according to reports down to the players agent Pini Zahavi. There is no suggestion at this stage that Rio is ready to leave the club, but it would nice to hear the player come and say that he wants to stay at United.
As much as I like Rio, let him leave. He's almost 30 so it might be good business. Real Madrid would probably fall over themselves to get him. Pocket the cash, then go down to Upton Park and get Rio mark 2. Plus Pique is not a bad player from what I've seen and alongside Vidic could be just as effective.
ReplyDeleteYes, but the point is he can move on a free next summer, so there will be no cash, this is why United have been a bit stupid in allowing this situation to get to this stage. Players who they want to retain should be signed up 18 months before their current deal expires. United should have been talking to Rio 12 months ago.
ReplyDeleteThere's been no suggestion that the player wants out, but at at the same time it remains to be seen if he wants to stay...
Added to which if the club wanted a fee for Rio then now is the time to sell him and not next summer. But with only 12 months to go his fee would be affected, this once again points to slack work because if United wanted to tie him down to a longer-term deal then they had to be talking to him at least 12 months ago. All in all, United appear to have cocked it up. Some regard Rio as the top defender in Europe at making interceptions, you do not allow players like that to leave on free transfers.
ReplyDeleteNow that the Glaziers are in charge, United have a policy of only opening up contract negotiations with a player one year out from the end of their contract, hence the issues with Wes Brown at the moment.
ReplyDeleteIts not that SAF and co dont want to, its because the Glaziers wont let them