Leeds United face an anxious wait as Rio Ferdinand makes up his mind whether to stay and honour his contract or double his money by moving to Manchester United.

Ferdinand's pay packet would soar to £60,000 a week if he joined Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, though the better chance of winning trophies with the Reds is likely to hold more sway than financial considerations.

Leeds remain hopeful that the England World Cup defender will stay, but his failure to give new manager Terry Venables an assurance yesterday doesn't bode well and he admits: "I'm facing the toughest decision of my life.".

The two men met in London for talks after Rio had flown in specially from holiday to hear Venables spell out his ambitions for the club.

Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale said: "Terry had a meeting with Rio and made it clear to him just how highly he rates him as a player.

"As well as that, he talked to him about the vision he has for the future of this club and he pointed out to Rio that he would have a leading part to play in that future.

"Their talks were very friendly and after listening to Terry's thoughts, Rio will take time to think about what they discussed.

"Terry believes that we are building something special here but their meeting, as far as I am concerned, was nothing more dramatic than the new manager of Leeds meeting his captain for a chat before going away on holiday."

Venables left last night for a working holiday in the Seychelles where he is compiling a travel programme for ITV.

e will rejoin the Leeds players after the first match of their three-game Far East tour, which starts on July 23.

Ridsdale added: "Through all the speculation it must be remembered that Rio has never said anything other than that he is happy to stay at Leeds United and I can only say again what I have been saying all along - that we do not intend to sell him.

"He is a quality footballer, he has four years left on his contract and he is not for sale."

Venables had said before his meeting with Ferdinand: "I believe if you spend a lot of money on someone like Leeds did on Rio then they are entitled to pay-back time.

"I do not want him to go anywhere. He has a contract and I think it is fair that is honoured. Rio has a chance here of shaping the future of this club.

"As far as I am concerned Leeds is as big as it gets in this country. They looked fairly solid last season and we've got to keep that solidity at the back.

"At Middlesbrough we made sure we stopped goals going in and I don't apologise for that. That is the priority wherever you are."

Ferdinand is due to re-start training with Leeds on Thursday and is likely to reach a decision on his future before then. He is contracted to The Sun newspaper and told them he would speak to a lot of people, including his family, before reaching a decision.

He has told Venables he will give him a verdict within 48 hours.

Leeds begin their tour with a game in China. Venables is expected to join them for another friendly against a Chile side in Melbourne on July 27 and the tour ends in Thailand where Leeds take on a Bangkok X1 on July 30.

Meanwhile, Leeds midfielder Lee Bowyer is due to meet Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier today to discuss personal terms after the clubs agreed a £9million fee last week.

Updated: 11:49 Monday, July 15, 2002