Leeds United and Manchester United took the unusual step of issuing a joint statement to refute a newspaper claim that England defender Rio Ferdinand was switching clubs.
Today's Daily Expressclaimed that 23-year-old Ferdinand was set for a Stg£25 million move from Leeds to Manchester United.
The paper also said that Ferdinand, who is in Japan with the England World Cup squad, had been sent a copy of the proposed contract for a seven-year deal. It said he would be paid Stg£60,000 per week, rising to Stg£110,000 at the end of seven years.
The report also suggested that Leeds still owed Stg£4 million to Ferdinand's former club West Ham. Leeds said they were taking legal advice over the allegation.
The two clubs were quick to stamp on the story, issuing a joint statement, posted on the Leeds United website.