Chelsea And Manchester City Boosted By Wonderkid Striker Agent’s Words

Romelu Lukaku could yet move to Stamford Bridge or Eastlands.

Anderlecht’s young striking sensation Romelu Lukaku is headed for the Premier League, says one of the Continent’s best-known football agents.

The Belgium international is wanted by a whole host of top European clubs after shining in both the Belgium Jupiter League, as well as in the Champions League, with the 17 year old being likened to Chelsea’s Ivory Coast international front man Didier Drogba by many experts in the game.

And, it is the Premier League champions who are believed to be the player’s most likely next port of call after he leaves Anderlecht, most probably this summer, and super-agent Fabrizio Ferrari feels that the forward would be a great success in the English top flight.

“Juventus are interested in Lukaku but Anderlecht say they will sell him in the summer to a club in the Premier League, at his request, because he believes his characteristics are most suited to the Premier League,” Ferrari told Italian newspaper Tuttosport.

SOURCE: Sportingo

Romelu Lukaku has been linked with practically every major European football club, but the hysteria surrounding the Belgium international wonderkid has subsided somewhat since the January transfer window.

A loss of form and a series of niggly injuries have halted his progress somewhat, but for a 17 year-old that has to be expected.

The trouble for Lukaku is that he has been thrust into the limelight from such an early age – even having his own reality TV series – that he has not been able to grow gradually into a great player like his peers.

The likes of Jack Wilshere and Cesc Fabregas at Arsenal, and even Wayne Rooney at Everton have had their appearances managed so expectation does not shoot through the roof.

Rooney was almost a regular for England before he was for Everton, with David Moyes doing his best to shield him even though he was ready.

Lukaku though was the top goalscorer in the entire Belgian Pro League at the age of 16, making it near impossible for his manager to leave him out.

He looks on course to beat his tally this season (though he is 4th in the top scorers at present).

There is no reason he cannot be the great player he is projected to become at a top club, and with Anderlecht believed to have lowered their asking price from £30m, perhaps Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich or his Manchester City counterpart Sheikh Mansour will renew their interest.

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Manchester United Plan Shock Move to Sign Barcelona Midfielder Javier Mascherano

Nou Camp star linked with Old Trafford move.

Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano. The former Liverpool man has failed to secure a regular spot in the Nou Camp starting eleven and was even used as a makeshift centre back in the Copa Del Rey Final and could be interested in a Premier League return.

Mascherano has barely featured in Pep Guardiola’s first eleven as young Spanish international Sergio Busquets continues to impress at the heart of the Barcelona midfield, this has led to the battler feeling frustrated on the bench, a situation the San Lorenzo born star has not experienced in his career.

The tigerish midfielder has started just 14 games for Barcelona this season, six of those in the Copa Del Rey, and may well be tempted by the chance of a move to the Premier League table toppers, regardless of the fact they are the arch rivals of his former side.

Ferguson has been linked with moves to bring a new defensive force into the centre of his midfield, not least because Owen Hargreaves seems no nearer to ending his injury woes. A move for Mascherano may appear at first surprising given his previous stint at Anfield, but his proven record at Premier League level will greatly interest the Old Trafford boss.

Barcelona paid £22m to sign Mascherano last summer and Pep Guardiola may be willing to offload the 26 year old to help balance the books. The Catalan giants are reportedly experiencing some financial problems and if a suitable offer was made then perhaps the La Liga champions would consider selling the Argentine international.

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Manchester United Striker Dimitar Berbatov to Make Sensational £8m Tottenham Return?

Old Trafford striker on his way back to White Hart Lane?

Dimitar Berbatov could make a sensational return to Tottenham in a cut-price deal this summer.

The Bulgarian striker will have just one year left on his Manchester United contract at the end of the season – and talks over a new deal have so far stalled.

That has alerted Spurs, who sold Berbatov to United three years ago for £30 million.

United face the threat of losing the hit-man on a free transfer if they allow his contract to run down and expire in June 2012.

And with Berbatov now 30, it ­appears United will not offer him more than a one-year extension.

If United and the player cannot reach agreement, they can take the option to sell him rather than lose him on a free.

Spurs would not want to pay more than £8m for the striker – and that would represent a smart move by chairman Daniel Levy. Spurs orginally bought Berbatov for £10.9m from Bayer Leverkusen in 2006. He played 102 games for Spurs, scoring 46 goals, before his move to Old Trafford in 2008.

SOURCE: Daily Mirror

Talk of a return to North London for Dimitar Berbatov is growing and if the Man United striker continues to bench warm then it would appear that the chances of the Bulgarian leaving Old Trafford will significantly increase as clearly a 30 year old goalscorer in the form of his life does not want to be out of the first team picture for too long.

Clearly Sir Alex Ferguson is thinking about the long term and given the great form that Mexican youngster Javier Hernandez has shown this season it is clearly a plan that appears to be working. The Man United boss believes that as a strike pairing Chicharito and Wayne Rooney offer his side best option and whilst clearly that may confuse some given that Berbatov is the Premier League’s top scorer, the Scot is sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League and in the semi-finals of the Champions League so clearly he knows what he is doing.

Harry Redknapp has not been happy with the goals return from his current quartet of Roman Pavlyuchenko, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane although oddly enough these strikers seem to have less trouble in Champions League duty, and a move for added fire-power appears very high up on the White Hart Lane boss’s wish-list.

Would Man United allow Berbatov to leave for such a small fee though? Even with a year left on his contract, he is worth far more, surely?

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La Liga Club Set To Become The Manchester City Of Spain Following £80m Takeover

Getafe could become the Manchester City of Spain after the La Liga club was bought by the Royal Emirates Group for €90million (£80million).

The Dubai investment firm is chaired by Sheikh Butti Bin Suhail Al Maktoum has wanted to buy a football club for a long time.

It is believed he wants to rival Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the owner of Manchester City, who has spent £391million on transfers since 2008.

The deal would be the third for a La Liga club involving a non-Spanish buyer in the past year following the sale of Malaga to a member of the Qatari royal family and the purchase of Racing Santander by an Indian businessman.

Royal Emirates Group said Dubai’s minister of culture, the Spanish ambassador and ‘many other corporate icons and members of the ruling family of Dubai’ would attend an event scheduled on Thursday to announce the deal.

“It is Getafe… we will announce it in a big way tomorrow,” Suleiman al Butti, project manager of Royal Emirates Group, told Reuters.

Royal Emirates said in statement the club would be named ‘Team Dubai’, although it was not clear whether that would become the team’s official name.

Getafe are currently 14th in La Liga with 37 points from 32 games and hovering just above the relegation zone.

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Manchester United and Beckham top Forbes list

Manchester United and David Beckham continue to lead the Forbes lists of the most valuable teams and highest-paid players.

The American business magazine ranks United as being worth 1.86 billion US dollars (?1.12 billion), ahead of Real Madrid (?900 million) and Arsenal (?700 million).

It is the seventh consecutive year that United have topped the Forbes list and Real Madrid and Arsenal, now under the control of majority shareholder Stan Kroenke, remain second and third.

Barcelona have dropped to fifth place, however, with German side Bayern Munich leapfrogging the Catalan team. AC Milan are the highest-placed Italian side on the list in sixth place, with Juventus in eighth and Inter Milan tenth.

Two other Premier League sides are in the top ten, with Chelsea (?400 million) in seventh place and Liverpool (?332 million) in ninth.

England midfielder Beckham continues to dominate the list of highest-paid players thanks to recent endorsement deals with Pepsi and Electronic Arts.

His earnings last year were estimated at 40 million US dollars (?24 million), ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo (?23 million) and Lionel Messi (?19 million).

The full lists will be published in Forbes magazine's May 9 issue.

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Manchester United May Accept £22m Bayern Munich Offer for Striker Dimitar Berbatov

Old Trafford side may opt to sell Bulgarian international.

Manchester United are reportedly considering selling top scorer Dimitar Berbatov to Bayern Munich this summer. The Bulgarian international has found himself warming the bench in recent weeks and has not appeared particularly happy about sitting out on the action given his prolific goals return and reports are filtering through that the Allianz Arena side are readying an offer of €25m (£22m) for the former Tottenham striker.

Berbatov enjoyed a successful time in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, netting 91 goals for the club before moving to White Hart Lane in the summer of 2006 and now incoming Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes wants to bring the 30 year old to spearhead the Bavarian side’s attack. There is growing speculation that current top scorer at Bayern Munich, Mario Gomez, may well be heading to Italy where there is interest from both Napoli and Lazio.

Given that Sir Alex Ferguson has a successful strike pairing in Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez the Old Trafford boss may well be ready to listen to offers for Berbatov, but only if the cultured front man asks to leave the club. Perhaps crucially the player is in talks to secure a new three year deal but as yet no deal has been completed and come the summer the Man United man will have just a year left on his current contract.

Ferguson knows he will struggle to keep all three of his main striking options happy and given Javier Hernandez is just 22 and already a prolific marksman having netted 17 goals this season already. The Man United boss may feel that he could more easily deal with back up strikers who are young and up and coming and may feel the time is right to give youngsters Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda a chance to become part of the club’s first team squad.

Michael Owen, United’s other attacking option, is unlikely to receive a new contract when his current deal comes to an end this summer.

Some may feel that a fee of £22m may be a little inflated given Berbatov’s age but it’s worth noting that the Man United striker is having the best season of his career and may well be tempted by the offer of a new challenge in familiar surroundings back in Germany.

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Newcastle United to Make Shock Move to Sign £7m Manchester City Striker

Eastlands man set for St James’ Park return?

Newcastle United are reportedly considering a move to re-sign former striker Craig Bellamy this summer. Alan Pardew is open to the idea of bringing the Welsh international back to St James’ Park and will make a move for the 31 year old at the end of the season.

Currently on loan at Cardiff City Bellamy has had a terrific season with the Bluebirds and has helped them to remain in or around the promotion picture all season and Pardew is interested in purchasing the attacker in order to boost the Magpies attacking options.

Roberto Mancini is said to be more than willing to offload Bellamy who had a solid season at Eastlands last term but then found his starting options compromised by the signing of Mario Balotelli and the further addition of Edin Dzeko would appear to effectively end Bellamy’s Man City career.

Man City are said to be looking to secure a fee in the region of £7m for the much travelled striker who arrived at the City of Manchester stadium for a fee of £14m in January 2009. That is a fee that Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley may well be willing to pay because even though Bellamy is clearly at the latter stages of his career he still clearly has a lot to offer.

Currently Alan Pardew has to make do with the rather limited attacking abilities of a current strike force that includes the likes of Leon Best, Peter Lovenkrands, Shola Ameobi and Shefki Kuqi as well as up and coming youngster Nile Ranger.

Though his previous spell with Newcastle United ended somewhat acrimoniously, and resulted in abusive text messages being sent to Alan Shearer, Craig Bellamy had a very successful stint at Newcastle United netting 43 goals in 119 starts.

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Arsenal Manager Will Fight Off Chelsea And Manchester City To Sign AC Milan Ace

Emirates boss believes San Siro hero will add steel and experience to midfield and will not allow the player to move to Stamford Bridge or Eastlands.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants Ac Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo to add the steel and experience he feels his side are missing.

The 31-year-old is a free agent in the summer but Wenger will face strong competition from Chelsea and Manchester City.

Wenger wants Pirlo to compete for a place with Alex Song and Abou Diaby, whilst help guide and teach youngsters Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey.

Pirlo’s experience of playing the holding role allied with his exquisite passing make him an ideal Wenger signing.

The Italian international has won a World Cup, two Champions League and a Serie A title in a 16-year career.

But both Carlo Ancelotti and Roberto Mancini want to bring Pirlo to Chelsea or Manchester City respectively.

Ancelotti wants to work with Pirlo again, after their time at Milan together, but his signing will go against the Blues policy of signing youngsters.

Mancini knows all about Pirlo from his time as manager of Inter Milan, and would love to have San Siro legend to replace Patrick Vieira.

Arsenal Manager Will Fight Off Chelsea And Manchester City To Sign AC Milan Ace, 9.0 out of 10 based on 6 ratings

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Manchester United Hold Talks With David De Gea But Yet To Agree A £17.5m Fee With Atletico Madrid

Old Trafford club look set to land Vicente Calderón Stadium star.

Manchester United have held talks with Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David De Gea according to the player’s agent Hector Rincon.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson wants a long-term replacement for retiring Edwin van der Sar and has settled on the 20-year-old.

The Spain U21 international broke into the first-team in 2009 and has been scouted by the Red Devil’s goalkeeping coach Eric Steele.

Ferguson himself watched De Gea play Valencia last September.

Rincon revealed his player does have a release cause but Atletico may be persuaded to sell for cheaper.

He also says Wigan have made an attempt to sign him as well as a host of big European and English clubs.

“Well, we did have talks with Manchester United but, first of all, they always look for an agreement with the club,” Rincon told Sport.co.uk.

“Anyway, most of the biggest European teams have shown interest in David De Gea.”

“What I can tell you is that his release clause now is €20 million (£17.5million), but I have no idea if the club would sell him for less.

“Right now, the player has a contract with Atletico Madrid and if Manchester United or any other team want him they will have to reach an agreement or pay the whole release clause.”

“Well, some time ago, before he became an important player in Atletico, Wigan made an offer, but the club rejected it,” Rincon added.

“Recently, I don’t want to say any names but all the big clubs in England and in Europe have asked about him.”

Manchester United Hold Talks With David De Gea But Yet To Agree A £17.5m Fee With Atletico Madrid, 9.0 out of 10 based on 3 ratings

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Liverpool to Turn to Manchester City Wide Man to Add Natural Width to Attacking Options

Anfield boss keen on Eastlands bench warmer.

Liverpool will reportedly attempt an audacious move to sign Manchester City winger Adam Johnson this summer. The England international has made his displeasure known at his lack of first team opportunities at Eastlands and Anfield boss Kenny Dalglish this could aid a move to bring the talented wide man to the Merseyside club this summer.

Since his arrival at Man City from Middlesbrough on February 1st last year, Johnson has spent the majority of his time sitting on the club’s bench biding his time and waiting for a chance to prove himself and has apparently had his run-ins with Mancini in the process, leading many to believe the Sunderland born winger may well be offloaded and Liverpool are hoping to complete a deal that would greatly improve their attacking options.

Johnson has started just eight Premier League matches this term and has made a further 15 appearances from the bench and as a result many believe he could be interested in a move away from Man City as his first team chances appear to have been dealt a blow with the arrival of David Silva, James Milner and others last summer.

Liverpool could well do with some natural wide options as using the likes of Maxi, Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic and Dirk Kuyt has not provided a great deal of ammunition for the club’s front men, whereas an expert crosser like Adam Johnson could have the desired effect and indeed could also add some more goals from the midfield area.

Manchester City purchased Johnson for a fee of £7m and would be looking for a fee in excess of that before they would entertain the notion of selling the former Newcastle United youth team player.

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Pablo Zabaleta Answers Roberto Mancini’s SOS Call To Solve Manchester City Defensive Crisis

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has recalled defender Pablo Zabaleta from compassionate leave to solve the injury crisis at the club. The 26-year-old has spent the last three weeks in Argentina at the bedside of his father, who was involved in a car crash.

But Mancini has asked Zabaleta to return following serious injuries to Micah Richards and Jerome Boateng, while Kolo Toure is supended for a drug ban. Due to this crisis Zabaleta could be thrown straight into the game with Sunderland on Sunday despite missing City’s last three games.

“Roberto Mancini has lost Micah Richards and Jerome Boateng to injuries picked up while on international duty,” read a statement on City’s website. Zaba’s return will be a welcome boost ahead of what is a crucial game in the Blues’ bid for Champions League football.

“Pablo has expressed his thanks for all the messages of support he’s had from City fans during what has been a very difficult time for his family.”

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Manchester United Plan Audacious Move for £30m Rated Bayern Munich Winger Franck Ribery

Manchester United are preparing an audacious summer move for Bayern Munich playmaker Franck Ribery. Sir Alex Ferguson has set his sights on the French international and hopes that the uncertain situation at the Allianz Arena may aid a move to sign the talented French international.

Last seasons Bundesliga champions have had a shocking season that has cost Louis Van Gaal his job and the Old Trafford boss may feel the conditions are such that the 27 year old may be open to a move to the Premier League table toppers, and the chances of such a deal proving successful could be aided if the Bavarian side miss out on a Champions League spot for next season.

Currently Bayern Munich are in fourth spot, which this term is not enough to claim a Champions League place and the fact that they languish 14 points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund has caused much consternation at the club and led to Van Gaal announcing he would leave in the summer and veteran boss Jupp Heynckes will take his post.

Ferguson has tracked Ribery for some time and attempted to land the skilful flair player when he was at Marseille, however the winger opted instead for a move to Germany and is now in his fourth season at Bayern Munich and although he signed a new long term deal a year ago, it is worth noting that he did so after the club has secured a domestic double and reached the Champions League final, a lot has happened since then.

£30m rated winger Ribery can play on either wing and could definitely add value to Man United’s attacking options not least with Luis Antonio Valencia only now coming back from long term injury and with the likes of Gabrial Obertan and Bebe failing to make any impact whatsoever. There has even been talk that top wide man Luis Nani is not totally happy with his lot at the club and he has been targeted by the likes of Inter Milan and Juventus for some time.

Sir Alex Ferguson has stated his intention to spend this summer and chief executive David Gill has reaffirmed the financial backing he will receive to do so and it seems that a few ‘marquee’ signings have been speculated as possible additions to a Man United squad that is reportedly set for something of a clear-out.

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Manchester United Targets Seven as Sir Alex Plans £60m Spending Spree

ALEX FERGUSON reckons he can land as many as THREE of his top transfer targets in the summer. Big changes are expected at Manchester United, with a clutch of players retiring or seeing their contracts end. And Fergie has insisted the cash will be there for him to bring in top-class replacements during the close season.

He said: “We have certain targets in mind and I think two or three will be fulfilled. There’s no question of that. The Glazer family have always been supportive of our desires to improve the team.”

Top of his list is likely to be a goalkeeper, with either Schalke’s Manuel Neuer or Atletico Madrid’s David De Gea in the frame to replace Edwin van der Sar. The Scot is also likely to boost his midfield. Wesley Sneijder, Jack Rodwell and Blackpool’s Charlie Adam are all in the running.

Fergie could look for a new centre-back, too, with Bolton’s Gary Cahill and Thiago Silva of Ac Milan among the group of possibles.

SOURCE: The Sun

This is an interesting list of targets, some of which seem far more realistic than others, and Sir Alex Ferguson does seem to realise that this summer is the right time to make sweeping changes. Given that a number of the Old Trafford squad is nearing the end of their careers, with Edwin Van der Sar and Gary Neville already retired or set to retire and that Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs can have not much left in the tank, it would make sense to bring in more young talent.

Ferguson already began the rebuilding with the captures of Javier Hernandez and Chris Smalling last summer and Owen Hargreaves and Michael Owen are unlikely to be handed new deals and then you have the likes of Rio Ferdinand, who is also getting on a bit and having numerous injury issues.

Of the players listed moves for Wesley Sneijder and Thiago Silva seem unlikely, both are at teams who are on the up, under new management and doing very well indeed in Italy. Some reports earlier in the week seemed to suggest that Atletico Madrid were likely to sell their young keeper De Gea to United and that deal could well still be on.

Bolton centre back Gary Cahill would also be a very effective purchase, but not a cheap one as the Trotters look to cash in on the England international. David Moyes has made statements about Jack Rodwell that would suggest that the Toffees boss is resigned to losing the Everton youngster, but like Owen Coyle, will not sell for anything less than their valuation.

Charlie Adam is being chased by Tottenham and Liverpool but may well see a move to Man United as his dream option. Sir Alex has cleverly moved to confirm that the Glazers will finance deals in the transfer market but I guess the proof will be in the pudding.

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Espanyol And Manchester City To Begin Player And Financial Partnership

Manchester City and Espanyol will announce a mutually-beneficial partnership deal that includes player trading and joint financial projects.

The exact details of the agreement are yet to be decided upon but a general acknowledgement to work together has been reached.

A City player, believed to be Roque Santa Cruz, is expected to move to the La Liga club in the summer with a friendly also on the cards.

According to Spanish media the Blues have been searching for a club in Spain to begin a partnership with and seem to have settled for Espanyol.

The Premier League side want to extract coaching and youth development information as Espanyol’s set-up has been successful in recent years.

Their first team is scattered with fantastic potential ranging between 17 and 24. The star is Carlos Clerc, who has attracted interest from Real Madrid.

City also want to offer their players the chance to learn and play abroad and hope this opportunity will appeal to many aspiring youngsters.

Espanyol are insisting on having first-choice on any players leaving Eastlands, either on-loan or permanently with the Blues having the same option.

Manager Roberto Mancini could also use the Spanish club for players who have work permit problems and to allow youngsters to gain first-team experience.

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Manchester United most hated in UK - survey

An online survey has suggested that Manchester United is the most hated company in Britain, putting it above the likes of McDonald's and Ryanair.

United came top of a poll conducted by Online Opinions of over 1,000 people and secured 26% of the overall vote with the club's success, power and huge worldwide following given as reasons for its perception among other fans.

''Manchester United is possibly a victim of its own success and the way it is viewed by passionate fans of its rivals but it is different for banks and utilities,'' a spokesman for the survey company revealed.

''Banks get billions of pounds to rescue them from the public then go and splash out millions on bonuses while the rest of the country is in recession - no wonder they are so disliked. And utilities keep raising household bills at a time when people can afford them the least yet they still seem to be making lots of profits.

''With other companies, the reasons are more personal. Ryanair is probably the most popular airline in Britain thanks to cheap fares yet passengers still moan about having to pay for their luggage or booking by credit cards.''

Full results:

• Manchester United - 26%
• Ryanair - 23%
• British Gas - 22%
• McDonald's - 19%
• RBS - 17%
• Lloyds Bank - 16%
• Starbucks - 14%
• BT - 13%
• Sky - 13%
• easyJet - 10%
• Network Rail - 9%

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Arsenal Unlikely To Battle Manchester United For £25m German Goalkeeper

Emirates boss unlikely to bid for Veltins Arena keeper and will leave him for his old foe at Old Trafford.

Arsene Wenger will look to solve Arsenal’s goalkeeping concerns by launching a summer move for Germany No 1 Manuel Neuer. The Gunners have been dogged by goalkeeping headaches in recent seasons and Wenger has earmarked the Schalke shot-stopper as the man he wants to bring stability to the problem position.

Arsenal have tracked Neuer for over a year and Sportsmail has learned Wenger contemplated a move last summer but opted to pursue Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina instead. Wenger has instructed the club’s European scouts to keep a close eye on Neuer’s progress this season with a view to a summer move and the Frenchman is finally preparing to firm up his interest after another season of inconsistency between the posts.

Source: Daily Mail

No chance, never going to happen, not on your nelly!

This is just not how Arsene Wenger goes about his business.

Wenger’s policy is to give youth a chance and after the emergence of Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski, plus with Vito Mannone to comeback the manager is not looking for a shot-stopper.

This may force some Gunner fans to pull their hair out but Wenger has constantly acted in this way.

When Patrick Vieira left he promoted Cesc Fabregas and after Ashley Cole he pushed Gael Clichy into left-back.

Monsieur Wenger did not do this on a whim but he gradually integrated them into his side.

Szczesny and Fabianski have proved this season they are worthwhile candidates to battle for the gloves in the long-term. And at 20 and 25 respectively they are the right age to do so.

Throw the 23-year-old Mannone into the mix and you can see why Wenger is not going to spend the £25million on Manuel Neuer that Schalke want.

He would not even spend £20million on Pepe Reina!

Wenger could be tempted to go for a more experienced shot-stopper and is keeping a close eye on Gianluigi Buffon’s contract problems at Juventus.

The Old Lady wants the 33-year-old to take a pay cut or he will be sold.

This is more tempting for Wenger, who has identified a centre-back and a holding midfielder as his transfer priorities for the summer.

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Manchester United Consider Move for £12m Rated German International Giant

Sir Alex Ferguson keen on bringing solid centre back to Old Trafford.

Manchester United are weighing up a move for Werder Bremen’s vastly experienced centre back Per Mertesacker this summer. Sir Alex Ferguson is known to be an admirer of the giant German international and the recent defensive crisis at Old Trafford has led the Scot to believe he may need another option at the back and will look to make an offer for the 26 year old when the transfer window re-opens.

Having amassed over 70 caps and almost 300 top tier appearances for Werder Bremen and Hannover it is believed that 6ft 6fin defender Mertesacker would be open to moves from the continent and that has led to much interest in the Premier League, primarily from Arsenal. With his side struggling just four points from the drop, in marked contrast to last season’s third placed finish, the tough tackler is keen to explore alternatives to his current Bremen club.

Having five seasons at the Weserstadion and eight seasons in the Bundesliga as a whole, Per Mertesacker has achieved precious little in the way of silverware and despite his undoubted success at international level (two World Cup third-place finishes and one European Championship runners-up medal) he is yet to prove himself at club level and would surely be interested in a move to either the Emirates or Old Trafford.

Manchester United have struggled at the back this term as the usual starting partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic has barely featured together with the former England captain suffering with injury problems that may well curtail his career. Jonny Evans has suffered with poor form that could see him offloaded and whilst Chris Smalling has impressed, Ferguson probably didn’t plan on the youngster being shoved into the first team spotlight quite so soon.

Mertesacker is repotedly available for around £12m and would represent a very solid defensive alternative who may well suit the physical approach of the Premier League.

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Manchester United to Offer Two Player Swap to Land £20m Everton and Sunderland Stars

Old Trafford boss looks to use squad players to land either Goodison Park or Stadium of Light youngsters.

A slice of United’s Manchester connection could be sacrificed in the summer to rebuild the Reds’ midfield. Mancunians Danny Welbeck and Wes Brown could both be on the way out of Old Trafford as Sir Alex Ferguson closes in on his summer wanted list.

With Paul Scholes yet to announce whether he will carry on next season and serious doubts over the futures of Owen Hargreaves, Darron Gibson, Anderson and even Ji-sung Park – whose contract ends in 2012 – Fergie will focus on boosting his midfield once the season ends.

Fergie is also looking to replenish his stock of young stars in the centre of the park with Everton’s Jack Rodwell and Sunderlands’ Jordan Henderson on his shopping list. Goodison boss David Moyes has recently put the block on England Under-21 Jack Rodwell leaving Goodison Park, while Steve Bruce says £20m wouldn’t be enough to tempt the Black Cats into selling their star midfielder.

But that’s where United’s two home produced Manchester players come into it. Welbeck is enjoying a hugely successful loan spell at the Stadium of Light and Bruce wants to sign the 20-year-old, especially following Darren Bent’s surprise mover to Aston Villa in January.

The experience and defensive qualities of Brown, who fell out of favour with Fergie this season before his recent recall as injuries mounted up, are also attractive to Bruce. Welbeck, on his own or the double package, would be the kind of deal that could persuade Sunderland to part with Henderson.

The same Old Trafford combination is the draw for Everton. Securing either Brown and Welbeck or one and cash could swing the Rodwell deal in the Reds’ favour. Fergie has insisted Welbeck will return to Old Trafford for next season and that he is a part of United’s future, but it might be a case of needs must as he revamps his midfield especially with Javier Hernandez making such an impact in his debut season.

SOURCE: Manchester Evening News

This could well be a good bit of business by Sir Alex Ferguson as he looks to cut transfer costs by offloading some of his squad players to land players to help build a new generation of talent at Old Trafford. Both David Moyes and Steve Bruce would like to keep their young English talents but will know that when a club the size and grandeur of Manchester United come calling then it is very difficult to prevent a player’s head from being turned.

Moyes has of course been through all of this before with Wayne Rooney and indeed also when Joleon Lescott forced the Toffees into selling him to Man City. Jack Rodwell has been linked with a move to Man United for the best part of two years and this summer a deal could be struck.

Everton may prefer a straight cash deal as the Goodison Park boss may want to invest his money elsewhere as it seems his needs are a little different from Steve Bruce who clearly would be interested in Danny Welbeck given his decent showing for the Black Cats and the sale of Darren Bent.

Wes Brown apparently fell out with Ferguson earlier this season and seems destined to end his 14 year tenure at the club.

Jordan Henderson has stated his desire to stick with Sunderland but if a concrete offer is made then the England international may change his tune. Some may feel that the use of players to finance deals could have something to do with the big debts reportedly accrued by the Glazers, Ferguson has been told by chief executive David Gill that funds will be made available to the Scot this summer.

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Manchester City Plan Move for Brand New £100m Strike Force

Will Roberto Mancini be at Eastlands long enough to spend the money?

ROBERTO MANCINI has asked Man City owner Sheikh Mansour to bankroll a £100m summer spree to sign AC Milan hitman Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Napoli striker Edinson Cavani.

The Manchester City boss wants Sheikh Mansour to provide more transfer funds – even though the club owner has already spent £400million on players since the Abu Dhabi United Group takeover at Eastlands two-and-a-half years ago.

Former City boss Mark Hughes started the spending spree – and Mancini has continued it in spectacular style. But he still isn’t satisfied with his squad and is likely to want up to another £100m, depending on whether players like Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli stay at City in the summer.

AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 29, will be a target as part of an exchange deal if Balotelli, 20, pushes for a quick return to Italy. The arrival of target-man Ibrahimovic would place a question mark against the future of Edin Dzeko, 25,who only arrived at City in January for £27m from Wolfsburg.

Dzeko is a similar player but has failed to impress. Mancini is also keen on £30m-rated Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, who is being tracked by Chelsea. The Uruguay hitman, 24, could be a replacement for Tevez if the Argie striker renews his attempt to leave City, having done a U-turn after asking for a transfer before Christmas.

SOURCE: Daily Star

Clearly the chances of the Eastlands club looking to re-jig their front line will increase if Roberto Mancini fails to capture a top four spot, which could lead to Carlos Tevez and perhaps Mario Balotelli pushing for a move away from Man City.

One wonders however how this pairing could cost £100m? Zlatan Ibrahimovic at age 29 is not worth over £40m so not sure how the Daily Star came to that figure, perhaps they have a rounding up machine that helps make headlines appear more enticing?

Seriously though, Man City need to work out how best to resolve the issue of sacking managers and re-investing in new players every time a new boss comes in to the club. If Roberto Mancini does fail to land a top four spot it is very possible the Italian will be sacked, which would be a mistake as it would mean having to spend another fortune funding the next manager’s attempt to finance fantasy football.

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Manchester United Agree £17.5m Deal to Sign Atletico Madrid Keeper David De Gea: Spanish Press Claim La Liga side Have Accepted Offer

Old Trafford club to seal signing of promising Spaniard.

Manchester United have reportedly agreed a deal with Atletico Madrid to sign young keeper David De Gea this summer, according to reports in the Spanish press today. Sir Alex Ferguson has sent scouts to monitor the talented 20 year as the Old Trafford side look to replace Edwin van der Sar who is set to hang up his gloves and retire from the game this summer.

Spanish publication Sport suggests that a deal has been agreed between the two sides that will see the Spanish Under 21 international join Manchester United for a fee of €20m (£17.5m) dependent on the Madrid born goalie agreeing personal terms with the Premier League table toppers.

De Gea has shown maturity beyond his years to become the first choice custodian at the Vicente Calderon and helped his side to clinch the Europa League in his first season at the club last term. Ferguson has been linked to a myriad of potential replacements for Van der Sar with the likes of Manuel Neuer, Hugo Lloris, Maarten Stekelenburg and Liverpool’s Pepe Reina often being mentioned as possible purchases.

Atletico Madrid are reportedly in something of a financial predicament that has led to much speculation that some of their top talents may be offloaded this summer with the likes of Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan linked with big money exits and the fact that Quique Sánchez Flores’s side are currently languishing in eight place and could miss out on European football altogether next term may force the club to sell to balance the books.

Manchester United brought in Anders Lindegaard as further back up and there has been much speculation that Tomasz Kuszczak will leave in the summer. Sir Alex Ferguson has been looking at bringing in top young talent to help build a new generation of players to mix with those coming through the youth ranks and the purchases of Javier Hernandez and Chris Smalling appear to have paid off and David De Gea is seen by many as an ideal long term replacement for Edwin Van der Sar.

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