Football: Leeds' pounds 3.25m Ferguson bid accepted

LEEDS UNITED'S pounds 3.25m offer for the Scotland international centre-forward, Duncan Ferguson, has been accepted by Dundee United who said yesterday they would not consider bids from other clubs, writes Stephen Bradfield.

Doug Smith, the Tannadice club's vice-chairman, said: 'Terms have been agreed between ourselves and Leeds and as far as we are concerned it is between Leeds and Ferguson.'

Barnet have been granted a stay of execution by the Football League who have agreed to meet representatives of a 10-man consortium interested in taking over the debt-ridden club.

The talks will take place today in Bournemouth where Football League, Premier League and Football Association officials are already holding meetings.

Earlier, Barnet had failed to meet the Football League's noon deadline for arranging pounds 500,000- worth of bank gaurantees. That could have meant an extraordinary meeting of clubs to expel Barnet, who are believed to be pounds 1.3m in debt.

Fergus McCann, the Canadian millionaire, has made another bid to buy Celtic, 18 months after his first attempt. McCann said yesterday that he had lodged pounds 11.5m with the Bank of Scotland to make clear the seriousness of his intentions.

Neil Ruddock, who has been unable to agree fresh terms with Ossie Ardiles, looks certain to leave Tottenham after yesterday appearing to reject the new manager's offer of further talks.

Newcastle United have paid the Greek club, OFI, pounds 125,000 for the Cyprus international midfielder player, Nicki Papavassiliou.