Zahavi: Rio deserves more

Man Utd have been told Rio Ferdinand should be the world's best paid defender.

Ferdinand is discussing a new contract with The Red Devils, with the spectre of his accidental meeting with Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon having cast a shadow over the talks.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed over the weekend that he believes a deal to keep Ferdinand at Old Trafford is close to completion.

But while the centre half's agent Zahavi admits the England international wants to stay with The Red Devils, he insists Ferdinand deserves a major pay rise.

"Rio loves it in Manchester and wants to stay there but it depends on United, not on him, whether that happens," Zahavi told The Sun.

"He is ready to go a long way to make sure it does but everybody has to give a little. It's called negotiation.

"Rio is the best central defender in the world and will be much better in the coming years.

"Rio deserves to earn, if not more than the other top central defenders in the world, at least the same."

Amid the reports of Ferdinand's meeting with former United supremo Kenyon at a London restaurant over a week ago, Zahavi denied the stopper wants to move to Stamford Bridge.

He reiterated the stance that the 26-year-old sees his future at Old Trafford, particularly if Ferguson remains at the helm.

Zahavi added: "Both me and Rio would be very happy and would prefer Alex to be the manager but we understand we cannot control that side of Manchester United.

"Rio cannot see himself playing for another club and I can assure everyone that Chelsea is not on the agenda.

"We are focusing on staying at United. We hope very, very much to conclude an agreement in the next couple of weeks.

"But if we don't Rio will see out the two years of his contract unless United choose to sell him."