Showing posts with label Transfer News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Transfer News. Show all posts
Manchester United Transfer Rumors: United Warned Off Robert Lewandowski
Currently sitting at the highest of the Premier League table with one in every of the simplest frontlines in England, if reports square measure to be believed, Manchester United square measure keen to any prop up their attack by labor in Borussia Dortmund poacher parliamentarian Lewandowski.
However, per Dortmund’s manager Jurgen Klopp, the Red Devils can ought to wait up at-least till the tip of the season before launching a revived bid for the European country international.
Via ESPN:
Manchester United and City on Wesley Sneijder alert as Inter talks stall
Wesley Sneijder has alerted Manchester United and Manchester town to his potential accessibility in Gregorian calendar month when talks with Internazionale concerning his future on Mon did not resolve the impasse that centres on the club wanting him to comply with reduced terms.
Although Sneijder includes a agitate lay that runs till 2015, his tag would be considerably down on the €35m (£28.2m) United were quoted within the summer of 2011, with reports suggesting he can be oversubscribed for as very little as €15m. That valuation might drop additional if Sneijder isn't stirred on within the window and also the dispute continues.
Zeki Fryers: Why I left Manchester United
It's a massive week for Manchester United’s young hopefuls at previous Trafford.
There will be Champions League tasters for a few older wannabes whereas the solfa syllable Youth Cup kicks-off for the younger teens.
Heading the additional senior fringe Reds are going to be adolescent midfielder Nick Powell.
The £4m summer obtain from Crewe massively affected on his European debut within the volatile Galatasaray pot last month.
The 18-year-old established his mental nerve in Turkey and is ready to face FCR Cluj within the final cluster H match tomorrow night as United – already section winners and qualified – play out a dead rubber.
A associated true|gone through|had|undergone|passed through|saw|felt|responded to|suffered} detachment can begin against the Romanians with Nemanja Vidic in line for an early comeback from injury.
Manchester United Transfer Rumors: Oscar De Marcos a Fit for Red Devils
Manchester United may alright air the verge of adding depth to its list.
According to the Daily Mirror, the Red Devils area unit once more showing interest in Athletic Bilbao midfielder laurels Diamond State Marcos.
Manchester United was reportedly inquisitive about effort Diamond State Marcos' services throughout the summer, however the club found his tag somewhat too high to drag the trigger.
Sir Alex Ferguson may well be slightly a lot of serious this point around, because the International Business Times is coverage that Ferguson sent his brother to scout the midfielder in a very game against Barcelona on weekday.
This move may come back at the right time for the Red Devils, as current midfielders Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs area unit commencing to show their age.
Tactics Talk: Manchester United attack covers farcical defending… again
Reading welcome Manchester United to the Madejski arena with aspects|each side|either side} probing for 3 points to assist their cause at either side of the Premier League table. Brian McDermott’s aspect have won only one game within the league as they languish second-bottom and solely a strict military science performance would provide them any probability of beating the league leaders. United knew a win within the late weekday kick-off would see them stay 3 points ahead at the highest. This meeting brought along 2 sides notoriously poor in defence, however proficient in attack therefore goals were expected…
Robert Lewandowski to Manchester United doesn't bother boss
Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp claims he's not disquieted by contemporary reports linking star striker parliamentarian Lewandowski with Manchester United.
It has been claimed that the prolific European nation international (above) can be part of the Premier League club in a very £12million deal at the top of the season.
It is advised the value for the 24-year-old would be comparatively low-cost as he would be out of contract the subsequent summer.
Manchester United on the brink of signing in Dortmund star Robert Lewandowski
Borussia Dortmund star Robert Lewandowski is set to leave for Manchester United during the January transfer window. Reports suggest Sir Alex Ferguson is on the verge of adding Robert Lewandowski to Manchester United plentiful forward department.
Manchester United first attempted to sign in the Polish striker during the summer transfer window, but they couldn’t agree upon transfer fees with Borussia Dortmund. The upcoming transfer window has breathed new life into the whole transfer saga, only this time Manchester United is prepared to bring Robert Lewandowski to Old Trafford.
A number of top notch European clubs have set out to after the signatures of Robert Lewandowski, who is rumored to be around £12 million. If that is the actual price tag on the forward then Manchester United would already be in possession of gentleman’s agreement for the Robert Lewandowski.
The 24-year-old Poland international has already indicated towards a move out Borussia Dortmund. Just a couple of weeks ago, Roberto Lewandowski revealed that he was eager to join a big English Premier League club.
Reportedly, Borussia Dortmund have reluctantly agreed to Manchester United’s transfer proposal. The Bundesliga champions attempted to renew Roberto Lewandowski’s contract with the club, but given that the striker had already handed in a transfer request pursuing a renewal is a lost cause.
Robert Lewandowski has a small release clause and a nearing expiration date on his contract. Therefore, Borussia Dortmund will be forced to sell off Robert Lewandowski for handful of money rather than risk losing him for pennies later.
Just last week Borussia Dortmund Chief Executive Hans-Joachim Watzke told TMW: “We still have to talk about it with him, even regarding an eventual termination clause; to determine it we must make a calculation based on his performances during this season.”
Meanwhile, in England reports suggests Robert Lewandowski has already agreed to the personal terms of a contract offered by Manchester United. Nonetheless, Robert Lewandowski can be forced to fulfill his duties at Borussia Dortmund for another season given that he still has 18 months left on his contract.
http://www.faniq.com
Manchester United first attempted to sign in the Polish striker during the summer transfer window, but they couldn’t agree upon transfer fees with Borussia Dortmund. The upcoming transfer window has breathed new life into the whole transfer saga, only this time Manchester United is prepared to bring Robert Lewandowski to Old Trafford.
A number of top notch European clubs have set out to after the signatures of Robert Lewandowski, who is rumored to be around £12 million. If that is the actual price tag on the forward then Manchester United would already be in possession of gentleman’s agreement for the Robert Lewandowski.
The 24-year-old Poland international has already indicated towards a move out Borussia Dortmund. Just a couple of weeks ago, Roberto Lewandowski revealed that he was eager to join a big English Premier League club.
Reportedly, Borussia Dortmund have reluctantly agreed to Manchester United’s transfer proposal. The Bundesliga champions attempted to renew Roberto Lewandowski’s contract with the club, but given that the striker had already handed in a transfer request pursuing a renewal is a lost cause.
Robert Lewandowski has a small release clause and a nearing expiration date on his contract. Therefore, Borussia Dortmund will be forced to sell off Robert Lewandowski for handful of money rather than risk losing him for pennies later.
Just last week Borussia Dortmund Chief Executive Hans-Joachim Watzke told TMW: “We still have to talk about it with him, even regarding an eventual termination clause; to determine it we must make a calculation based on his performances during this season.”
Meanwhile, in England reports suggests Robert Lewandowski has already agreed to the personal terms of a contract offered by Manchester United. Nonetheless, Robert Lewandowski can be forced to fulfill his duties at Borussia Dortmund for another season given that he still has 18 months left on his contract.
http://www.faniq.com
Manchester United reveal shocking bid for Liverpool star Raheem Sterling
Manchester United are considering a shocking bid for Liverpool rebel Raheem Sterling. Reports of Manchester United’s surprise interest in the teenage surfaced after Liverpool hit a bump on the road to ensure Raheem Sterling’s future at the club.
Sir Alex Ferguson wants Raheem Sterling as long-term replacement for Manchester United’s out of favor Portuguese winger Nani. Well, the Old Trafford boss actually has a chance of stealing the 17-year-old from their archrivals as Raheem Sterling is questioning his contract extension with Liverpool.
Liverpool and Raheem Sterling are currently at the table negotiating over a new contract. The England international was up for a new contract after being made a permanent member of Liverpool’s first team. However, the negotiations have fallen apart over the new salary of the youngster.
Clubs insiders have revealed that Raheem Sterling is demanding as much as £50,000 per week from Liverpool, but the Merseyside club is willing to offer no more than £30,000 per week. No official statements on this topic have been made by Liverpool or Raheem Sterling, but it’s clear that the contract negotiations have taken a serious blow.
A number of clubs will be in pursuit of Raheem Sterling during the January transfer window. Top notch clubs from Europe such as Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, and Arsenal are already being linked with moves for the youngster.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has asked Raheem Sterling to focus on football rather than worrying about his salary. However, the stalled talks between the club and the player are fueling speculation about an away move.
Manchester United Sir Alex Ferguson is keen on kicking out Nani from his squad during the January transfer window. Rife rumors suggest the Scotsman is already looking for buyers, which means Manchester United will probably sign in a new winger this fall.
Any moves between Liverpool and Manchester United are guaranteed to be an acrimonious one. The last direct transfer between Liverpool and Manchester United occurred almost 50 years ago in the form of Phil Chisnall.
Since then there have been very rare cases of players switching allegiances between these two clubs. The indirect transfer sagas of Michael Owen and Gabriel Heinze are two good examples of how bitter things can become between Liverpool and Manchester United.
Sir Alex Ferguson wants Raheem Sterling as long-term replacement for Manchester United’s out of favor Portuguese winger Nani. Well, the Old Trafford boss actually has a chance of stealing the 17-year-old from their archrivals as Raheem Sterling is questioning his contract extension with Liverpool.
Liverpool and Raheem Sterling are currently at the table negotiating over a new contract. The England international was up for a new contract after being made a permanent member of Liverpool’s first team. However, the negotiations have fallen apart over the new salary of the youngster.
Clubs insiders have revealed that Raheem Sterling is demanding as much as £50,000 per week from Liverpool, but the Merseyside club is willing to offer no more than £30,000 per week. No official statements on this topic have been made by Liverpool or Raheem Sterling, but it’s clear that the contract negotiations have taken a serious blow.
A number of clubs will be in pursuit of Raheem Sterling during the January transfer window. Top notch clubs from Europe such as Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, and Arsenal are already being linked with moves for the youngster.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has asked Raheem Sterling to focus on football rather than worrying about his salary. However, the stalled talks between the club and the player are fueling speculation about an away move.
Manchester United Sir Alex Ferguson is keen on kicking out Nani from his squad during the January transfer window. Rife rumors suggest the Scotsman is already looking for buyers, which means Manchester United will probably sign in a new winger this fall.
Any moves between Liverpool and Manchester United are guaranteed to be an acrimonious one. The last direct transfer between Liverpool and Manchester United occurred almost 50 years ago in the form of Phil Chisnall.
Since then there have been very rare cases of players switching allegiances between these two clubs. The indirect transfer sagas of Michael Owen and Gabriel Heinze are two good examples of how bitter things can become between Liverpool and Manchester United.
Gossip: Manchester United back in for Athletic Bilbao star
Manchester United are ready to go back in for Athletic Bilbao midfielder Oscar de Marcos, according to a report.
De Marcos impressed against the Reds in Europe last season and the Reds scouted the 23-year-old in Saturday's game at Barcelona, report the Daily Mirror.
United are still searching for a reliable midfield formula with the likes ofAnderson, Tom Cleverley, Darren Fletcher and veterans Ryan Giggsand Paul Scholes in and out of the side.
Would you like to see United go for De Marcos? Have your say.
http://menmedia.co.uk
De Marcos impressed against the Reds in Europe last season and the Reds scouted the 23-year-old in Saturday's game at Barcelona, report the Daily Mirror.
United are still searching for a reliable midfield formula with the likes ofAnderson, Tom Cleverley, Darren Fletcher and veterans Ryan Giggsand Paul Scholes in and out of the side.
Would you like to see United go for De Marcos? Have your say.
http://menmedia.co.uk
Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross resists lure of return to Manchester United
Ryan Shawcross has told Stoke he is ready to reject the opportunity to rejoin Manchester United because he does not want to part with his manager and mentor, Tony Pulis.
Stoke have offered their 25-year-old captain a record-breaking six-year deal, said to be worth £14m, and Shawcross confirmed that he has no wish to leave the Britannia Stadium, even though it means committing himself to a team never likely to be better than mid-table in the Premier League.
Only six weeks ago, the Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, said that he wished Shawcross was still at Old Trafford and doubted his wisdom in letting Pulis sign him for £1m in January 2008. But the 6ft 3in centre-half is clear that he wants to repay Pulis for the faith he showed in him then and for turning him into an England player.
"The talks are ongoing and we are not that far along yet for me to say it has been agreed in principle, but the main thing is that I want to stay and Stoke want to keep me," Shawcross said.
"Ultimately, it is up to my agent and the club to sort it out but I've told them I want to stay and the main reason is the gaffer. He's been great to me throughout my time here and made me captain at a young age. I've told him I want to stay here, even if a top four club comes in.
"I feel like he's improved me every year. He got me into the England squad, which has been a goal of mine, and it showed a Stoke player can get into the England squad, which has been an issue."
Shawcross helped Stoke to their seventh clean sheet of the season as Dean Whitehead's goal gave them a fourth win in five matches on Saturday.
Match facts
WBA: MYHILL 6/10, REID 7, McAULEY 7, OLSSON 6, POPOV 7, DORRANS 7, MULUMBU 7, ROSENBERG 5, YACOB 6, GERA 6, LONG 6
Stoke: BEGOVIC 7, CAMERON 6, HUTH 7, SHAWCROSS 7, SHOTTON 7, ETHERINGTON 6, ADAM 6, NZONZI 7, WHELAN 7, WALTERS 6, K JONES 8
Goal: Stoke City Whitehead 75. Subs: WBA Lukaku 6 (Rosenberg, 64), Odemwingie 7 (Gera, 64), Brunt (Yacob, 81). Stoke City Kightly 7 (Etherington, 59), Whitehead 7 (Adam, 64).
Bookings: Stoke City Huth, Adam, Shawcross. Man of the match K Jones. Match rating 6/10.
Possession: WBA 52%. Stoke City 48%.
Attempts on target: WBA 11. Stoke City 4.
Referee K Friend (Leicestershire). Att 24,739.
Sir Alex Ferguson is into flora: Agent claims Manchester United bought flowers for Paul Pogba's mum
Paul Pogba's agent has backed Manchester United’s claims they did not offer the French teenager and his parents a financial inducement to move to Old Trafford, claiming they merely sent his mother flowers and his father a book about the club’s history.
United have threatened Le Havre with legal action after their president Jean-Pierre Louvel alleged that Pogba’s parents were given £85,000 each and a house in Manchester to lure the 17-year-old.
However, agent Gael Mahe said: ‘The flowers cost just £20, and the mother felt trust. Paul got a shirt with his name on. It is a symbol, but they felt United respected them.
‘Of course, it is a nice contract but not only money makes a young player and his parents change their country.’
Pogba’s mother, Yeo, also rubbished claims they were given a house.
She said: ‘That story made people laugh in the hotel. Why would we be in a hotel, if we had been given a house? I can assure you Manchester United didn’t give us anything.’
Manchester United ready to pounce as Lazio stall in contract talks with Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera
Lazio have been told to improve promising goalkeeper Fernando Muslera's contract or risk losing him to Manchester United.
Reports in Italy claim the Uruguay international is on Sir Alex Ferguson's short list in the hunt for Edwin van der Sar's replacement.
United have been also linked with CSKA Moscow's Igor Akinfeev, West Ham United's Robert Green, Schalke's Manuel Neuer and Bayer Leverkusen's Rene Adler as Holland veteran Van der Sar approaches the twilight of his Old Trafford career.
Handed an opportunity: Fernando Muslera has established himself as Lazio's first choice goalkeeper this season
Muslera, 23, has established himself as the first choice at Lazio this season and he is set to be rewarded with a new deal.
He is reportedly paid just £220,000 a year - less than £5,000 a week - and there are negotiations not only increase his pay but also insert a hefty buy-out clause in his contract.
Manchester City are said to have failed in a bid to sign him just before the close of the transfer window and Arsenal have also been linked with him.
Manchester United are looking into the possibility of signing Real Madrid’s Arjen Robben according to reports in the Spanish media.
It is believed David Gill, Manchester United’s Chief Executive, has been in dialogue with Real general director Jorge Valdano regarding a potential transfer. Real are believed to be demanding a fee in the region of £20 million. The Madrid giants are desperate to recoup some of the £200 million they’ve spent on transfers this summer and are desperate to offload players before the transfer window closes in 11 days.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has always held the winger in high regard, narrowly missing out on his signature when he joined Chelsea from PSV in 2004. The talented wide man won a host of honours in his time with the Blues, including back-to-back Premier League titles.
Ferguson snubbed the chance to sign Robben earlier in the summer due to concerns regarding his long-term fitness. However, he is desperate for a player of international pedigree, and Ferguson is ready to freshen his attack and is prepared to take a gamble at the right price.
Recent relations have vastly improved between Madrid and United. Last year the United chief angrily hit out at Ramon Calderon’s regime when he said “I would not sell that lot a virus” after there dirty tactics to unsettle Ronaldo.
New president Florentino Perez made it a priority to repair the damage and offered an olive branch once he was elected. United are optimistic there’s room for negotiation on the price and don’t see Robben turning down the move in a World Cup year.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has always held the winger in high regard, narrowly missing out on his signature when he joined Chelsea from PSV in 2004. The talented wide man won a host of honours in his time with the Blues, including back-to-back Premier League titles.
Ferguson snubbed the chance to sign Robben earlier in the summer due to concerns regarding his long-term fitness. However, he is desperate for a player of international pedigree, and Ferguson is ready to freshen his attack and is prepared to take a gamble at the right price.
Recent relations have vastly improved between Madrid and United. Last year the United chief angrily hit out at Ramon Calderon’s regime when he said “I would not sell that lot a virus” after there dirty tactics to unsettle Ronaldo.
New president Florentino Perez made it a priority to repair the damage and offered an olive branch once he was elected. United are optimistic there’s room for negotiation on the price and don’t see Robben turning down the move in a World Cup year.
Manchester United to open talks with Nemanja Vidic over new contract
Manchester United are set to offer Nemanja Vidic a new contract after the Serbian defender’s chances of quitting Old Trafford this summer were ended by Rio Ferdinand’s injury problems.Sunday Mirror Sport revealed that Barcelona believed they were favourites to land Vidic ahead of AC Milan and Inter Milan after being made aware that the 27-year-old was looking to move away from England for personal reasons.
But his central defensive partner Ferdinand has been ruled out for a month with a torn thigh muscle – and that means Sir Alex Ferguson will not countenance losing Vidic under any circumstances.
United are now hoping that they can pacify the former Spartak Moscow defender with a £5m pay-rise under the terms of a new contract.
Vidic will be offered the chance to make a significant step up the Old Trafford money ladder with a deal that will take his current £60,000-a-week salary closer to the £100,000-a-week mark.
Vidic’s wife, Ana, is believed to be unhappy with life in Manchester.
But United are hoping that any reservations the Serbian has about his importance to the club will be ended by a new deal.
His current contract runs until 2012 – and United are willing to offer a 12-month extension so that the pay hike can be put in place.
Vidic has become a hero with the Old Trafford fans since arrival from Spartak Moscow in a £7m deal in January 2006.
But the man who was United’s player of the season last term will now have to decide whether to commit himself to the Premier League champions or look to move in January or at the end of the season.
Vidic is certain to feature in United’s Champions League campaign – making him ineligible for any other club this season.
Ferguson has made it clear, however, that Vidic will not be allowed to move before the transfer window closes on September 1 under any circumstances.
With Ferdinand and Vidic sidelined by injury, United lost 1-0 at Burnley in midweek.
Vidic returned after a two-week absence with a calf problem at Wigan to partner young Irishman Jonny Evans in central defence.
Manchester United are believed to be lining up a £30 million bid for Athletico Madrid superstar Sergio Aguero.
The Red Devils have been monitoring Aguero for some time, and their scouts saw the frontman score in Argentina's 3-2 victory in Russia.
Sir Alex Ferguson had previously stated that his summer business was over, but the Old Trafford side will struggle to cover the goals of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez without the addition of another striker the calibre of Aguero.
Athletico are believed to want around £45 million for the striker, a probable stumbling block for the 21-year-old striker who scored 17 goals in La Liga last year.
United don't have an issue with cash however, after the £80 million sale of Ronaldo earlier in the summer. Chelsea, Juventus and Inter Milan are also interested in the player known as 'Kun' Aguero.
Football transfer rumours: Agüero to Manchester United
Not long now. Having spent the thick end of £100m drafting in a dizzying array of the best footballing talent that money can buy and West Ham midfielder Luis Jiménez, the Rumour Mill has finally assembled its fantasy football squad for the forthcoming season. With just one sleep to go until the Premier League kicks off, now is the time for relentless, completely unnecessary fretting and tinkering. How many left-wingers is too many? Is our team's name amusing enough? Pink and white stripes or hoops? One of the listeners to our podcast was good enough to set up a Football Weekly fantasy league for the forthcoming season, so feel free to fritter away your Friday getting involved here (you'll need this code: 178628-47553). All are welcome – the more the merrier.
Meanwhile back in what passes for the reality of the Premier League, The Sun reveals that Sir Alex Ferguson sent his chief scouts to watch the "£30m-rated Argie hitman" Sergio Agüero during the week. Although this conjures up images of grown men wearing beige knee-length shorts, shirts complete with firewood-collecting proficiency badges and neckerchiefs fastened with woggles making notes on the technique of an unshaven South American assassin hunkered behind a window in a bell tower, the truth is less surreal. Fergie's spies watched the man they call Kun score in Argentina's 3-2 midweek win over Russia and probably concluded what the dogs on the street have been barking for years: yes, the boy's a bit special and yes, it's unfair to presume that he only gets picked for his country because he's sleeping with the manager's daughter.
The Everton defender Joleon Lescott is definitely not going to Manchester City, although that state of affairs may have changed by the time you reach the end of this sentence. Well? It's inevitable, isn't it? Not least because Mark Hughes has taken to standing outside Goodison Park holding a big bundle of giant cue-cards with increasingly large numbers written on them and will keep peeling them off one at a time, like Bob Dylan in the video for Subterranean Homesick Blues, until David Moyes finally caves in. Moyes may relent sooner rather than later (well, a Rumour Mill can dream), not least if Newcastle accept his £8m bid for Steven Taylor, who would go some way towards filling the Lescott-shaped hole that will almost certainly be left in the Everton defence and Goodison Park exit door once the "wantaway" defender is given permission to move to Eastlands.
Taylor isn't the only Newcastle player set to leave the club before the transfer window in the coming days, as both Wolves and Fulham have acknowledged their need for an injury-prone winger who's not quite as good as he used to be and are courting Damien Duff accordingly. Should the Irishman end up at Craven Cottage, he could find himself pinging balls on to the head of his former Newcastle team-mate Mark Viduka, assuming Fulham's physio allows them to play Pro-Evo in the treatment room. Meanwhile at Hull City, Phil Brown is courting the £12m-rated Real Madrid striker Alvaro Negredo. "There are times when you think it's 95% certain and then something happens and it's 50-50 again," said Brown of his forays into the transfer market. Translation: "There are times when you think it's 95% and then the player in question arrives in Hull and sees what it's like."
The Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martínez won't let a minor triviality such as the heart problem that turned up in Mohamed Diame's medical preclude him from signing the French midfielder from from Spanish side Rayo Vallecano, while in Sunderland Steve Bruce is considering a move for the bookish Arsenal centre-half Philippe Senderos.
Meanwhile in Spain, Real Madrid are considering offering £30m and a job-lot of Dutchmen (well, any two from Rafael van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben) to Bayern Munich in exchange for Franck Ribéry, while closer to home, the Reading manager Brendan Rodgers is accosting passers-by on the street to tell them that Mick McCarthy's Wolves are still "in talks" with midfielder James Harper, presumably about a move to Molineux ... although it may be about amusing monikers and formations for their fantasy football teams.
Top Ten: Risky transfer purchases
Michael Owen: Newcastle to Manchester United. One of the shocks of the summer after the former England striker's management team sent out a 38-page brochure documenting his appeal, to little effect. Injury-prone, out of form and carrying the burden of a high expectation level, United fans were dismayed when Sir Alex Ferguson announced the capture of the former Liverpool poacher on a pay-as-you-play deal. It was not the marquee signing many were expecting to replace the Madrid-bound Cristiano Ronaldo, and there is certainly doubt over whether Owen is still able to cut it at the highest level. On the other hand, he could be good value coming off the bench if he can regain some fitness. Both Fergie and Owen like to gamble, but this is certainly one that could backfire.Barry Ferguson: Rangers to Birmingham. The former Rangers skipper has been viewed as one of the best players in Scotland over the past few years, but did not have the best of times when he made the move to Blackburn in 2003. He lasted only 16 months after suffering injury and loss of form and has also gained a reputation for falling out with his coaches. His much-publicised indiscretions for the national team after a late-night drinking session also put a question mark over his temperament; but at least he's under the wing of former Gers boss Alex McLeish at St Andrews. Birmingham may already have their hands full with the signing of Lee Bowyer, despite his claims he has turned over a new leaf, but Ferguson could also prove to be difficult.
Roque Santa Cruz: Blackburn to Manchester City. A fee of £18m is a lot to pay for a striker who has only had one successful season in England and spent the majority of 2008-09 on the sidelines through injury. When on his game Santa Cruz is an excellent finisher, but during his eight years at Bayern Munich he managed just over 150 appearances and only 31 goals. He only cost Rovers £3.5m in 2007 and although he netted 19 league goals in his first season for the club, he remains a player who still has something to prove. With Emmanuel Adebayor and Carlos Tevez surely ahead of him in the pecking order, Santa Cruz could soon be labelled an expensive mistake.
Thomas Vermaelen: Ajax to Arsenal. The Dutch league has not provided the English game with the best of recruits in recent years, although the Belgian international will hope to raise the standard. A strong, committed defender who can play at centre-back or on the left side of defence, Vermaelen could be a gamble because he stands at under six feet tall and is likely to be tested in Arsenal's aerially suspect side. The 23-year-old has a footballing education that includes time in the prestigious Ajax academy, but did not make the breakthrough early in his career and has only been playing at the top level since 2006. Arsene Wenger is rarely wrong with his young players, although Philippe Senderos, Igor Stepanovs and Pascal Cygan are examples of his misplaced faith in the defensive department in recent years.
Yuri Zhirkov: CSKA Moscow to Chelsea. The Russian star has impressed at international level, but might find the step-up to the Premier League a difficult one. Aside from where he will play [Ashley Cole will play at left-back and Florent Malouda/Joe Cole in left midfield], Zhirkov has had trouble with the language and has also failed to complete a full pre-season with the club because of work permit issues. The player reportedly cost a fee of around £18m, which seems a lot simply for a backup for the starting XI; but with Roman Abramovich's links to the Moscow club, it's possible they might not have spent anything at all.
Tyrone Mears: Derby County to Burnley. When you have a player who is willing to climb out of a window to escape to a new life in France, it must take a great deal of faith to sign him up. Burnley have taken that risk on 26-year-old defender Mears, who was unhappy with Derby manager Paul Jewell and pulled the stunt in order to fly to Marseille for a trial, where he stayed for the rest of last season. The Clarets picked him up for £500,000, but will be fully aware of the Jamaican international's temperament. Whether they are willing to allow him to put the nickname 'Tye' on the back of his shirt - as he did at Preston - also remains to be seen.
Ross Turnbull: Middlesbrough to Chelsea. Always be wary of a man who says he wants to leave a club to pursue ''regular first-team football'' and then signs for a club like Chelsea, where the hope is remote. The goalkeeper may heed the warning of Steven Sidwell who failed to make an impression at Stamford Bridge, but will also be fairly happy to be paid a good weekly wage to act as backup to Petr Cech and get some experience of the Champions League on his CV. Having spent most of his Boro career on loan at lower division clubs, it is hard to see what persuaded the Blues to sign him up, although he has to be a better option than Hilario.
Ronald Zubar: Marseille to Wolves. It has been quite a fall from grace for the French Under-21 international since he starred for Caen and was linked with a move to Arsenal in the summer of 2006. Several costly mistakes while playing for l'OM have shattered his confidence after he swapped his defensive midfield role for that of centre-back and he opted to move to England to continue his career at Wolves. The player himself has admitted that he's finding the English game "quick" and has the potential to rival fellow countryman Jean Alain Boumsong in the calamity stakes.
GettyImages
Joey Barton: The biggest risk of all?
Jack Lampe: Harlow Town to West Ham. It's not often that a player jumps straight from Non-League football into the Premier League, but the 17-year-old defender impressed the coaches at Upton Park enough to earn himself a one-year deal after landing a trial. The Hammers are considered to have one of the most productive academy systems in English football, but usually pick up players at a much younger age, allowing them to blossom with help from their own coaching methods. Not likely to push the first-team just yet, Lampe will find the step up tricky, but is only on a short-term contract should he fail to establish himself.
Joey Barton: Newcastle to ??? The combative (for want of another word) midfielder is sure to leave the Magpies this summer as he has burned his bridges with Alan Shearer and pretty much everyone else at the club. With their relegation to the Championship, Barton is keen to return to the top flight with Hull reportedly interested; but any club that takes a punt on the Scouser is sure to have their fingers burnt. Barton does not really come under the tag 'risky', more 'mind blowingly stupid' if he actually does manage to seal a move to another Premier League club. If he doesn't move, Newcastle will have some serious questions to answer.
David Beckham could become Manchester United ambassador
This morning's Sun claims United's American owners are keen to exploit Beckham's popularity to boost the club's profile.
The paper quotes a United source, who says: "It's something that has only been whispered at this stage but Beckham will always be part of the United family.
"He could do for us what Sir Bobby Charlton has done for us all these years.
"There are emerging markets all the time and there could come a time in the very near future when Becks' association with United would be renewed. "The club has lost Cristiano Ronaldo as a key marketing tool and Becks would help fill that void when he retires."
Beckham left United under something of a cloud in 2003 after his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson became strained. However, he has always professed his continuing love for United, the club he supported as a boy.
Manchester United to swoop for Valencia duo David Silva and David Villa
David Silva has his audition at the Theatre of Dreams tonight as Sir Alex Ferguson ponders a £25million swoop for the Valencia star.Ferguson has been tracking Silva all summer and will be eager to see how the Spanish playmaker performs in the friendly against Manchester United.
Despite making tentative enquiries about Silva, United have yet to make an official bid. The Reds have moved ahead of long-term admirers Liverpool after Rafa Benitez accused Valencia of making public their negotiations.
Unlike Liverpool, Fergie also has the cash to capture Silva with £80million from Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer to Real Madrid sitting in the club's bank account.
Valencia would find it hard to refuse a £25m offer for Silva because of their huge debts, although they are adamant that £40m-rated David Villa is not for sale.
READ OUR PROFILE ON DAVID VILLA HERE
Club president Manuel Lorente insists Villa will not be leaving the Mestalla, saying: "The club is not interested in selling this player. We have not received any formal offers and it is not in our plans to consider David Villa's exit."
Regardless of the outcome of Fergie's pursuit of Silva, Michael Carrick feels Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia have already plugged the gap left by Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. The Geordie was impressed by the new boys during United's Asia tour and the Audi Cup in Munich.
Owen has bagged four goals from five games, while Valencia netted on his debut in the win over Boca Juniors in Bavaria.
"Michael's already done really well," said Carrick.
"He's a top player and I'm sure he'll score lots of goals for us.
"Antonio joined us a little later for training so I've only seen a bit of him so far, but he's already shown what great qualities he has."
Carrick, 28, claims the clash with Valencia is precisely what United need now as they prepare for the big kick-off against Birmingham at home on Sunday week.
"Valencia are a top side," he said. "This will allow us to gauge where we're at and look at the things that need tweaking or working on ." Despite Carrick's optimism, United's pre-season plans have suffered a blow with the news that keeper Edwin Van der Sar will be out for two months with a broken hand.
The Dutchman had surgery yesterday after breaking two bones saving a penalty in the defeat to Bayern Munich in the Audi Cup last Thursday.
David Silva
Born: Jan 8 1986 CLUBS: Valencia 89 games, 13 goals. All comps: 118 games, 21 goals. Eibar (loan) 35 games, 5goals, Celta Vigo (loan) 34 4 goals. 26 games, 3 goals. seven-year contract June 2007.
David Villa
Born: Dec 3 1981 CLUBS: Sp Gijon 80 games, 38 goals, Zaragoza 73 games, 31 goals, Valencia 134 games, 86 goals.
All Comps: 167 games, 101 goals SPAIN: 49 games, 31 goals. Top scorer at Euro 2008 with four goals.
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