Has Sir Alex Forgotten About Alexis Sanchez?

Manchester United are again preparing to make a new attempt to sign Alexis Sanchez from Udinese. It's not the first time they will have shown a great interest in the youngster, as I have reported earlier writing about who Sanchez is and again when Sanchez said he was keen to play for United.

Sir Alex Ferguson has long tracked the forward dubbed 'Chile's answer to Cristiano Ronaldo' and may be forced into a summer move for the 20-year-old as a number of European clubs are preparing to make bids. Udinese are braced for a renewed approach from Manchester United for Alexis Sanchez. The 20-year-old Chilean striker has become one of the most promising youngsters in Italian football, due to a number of impressive performances as Udinese’s number 11.

He began his professional career with the Chilean club Cobreloa. He played one season there before being signed by the Serie A team, Udinese. Udinese had to pay nearly $3 million for his signature. Colo-Colo then paid Udinese nearly $150,000 for his services in the upcoming Clausura tournament and the following Apertura tournament in the Liga Chilena.. ....Back To Home Page...

Manchester United Willing To Go To £45 Million For Sergio Aguero

Manchester United are willing to go as high as £45 million for Atletico Madrid ace Sergio Aguero.

Sport says United have informed Atletico they will pay the massive figure for the Argentina international, though the Spanish club's president Enrique Cerezo continues to refer them to the striker's £55 million buyout clause.

United chief executive David Gill is expected to hold talks with Cerezo next week in an attempt to find a compromise. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is eager to find an agreement for Aguero before preseason training begins next month.


Back To Home Page...

McDonald Mariga Is Being Followed By Manchester United

Manchester United are following Parma midfielder McDonald Mariga.

The Kenya international is very similar in style and stature to AC Milan star Rino Gattuso and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has the youngster under consideration as cover for injury-plagued Owen Hargreaves.

Parma sources say president Tommaso Ghirardi will demand Kiko Macheda in part-exchange for Mariga, though the chances of that happening are rather slim.

Mariga started his playing career at Ulinzi Stars before moving to Pipeline FC. He was a member of the Kamukunji High School 'Golden Boys', which also included Kenyan striker Dennis Oliech (Auxerre, France), that won two consecutive National Championships in 2002 & 2003.

The central midfielder went to Sweden in 2005 to play for third Division side Enköpings SK. After only one season at ESK, he signed for Helsingborgs IF before the 2006 season. His success at Olympia was immediate. Following initial interest from Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp, McDonald Mariga looked set to sign for the Premier League team, but work permit issues held up the deal which was supposed to have cost around 2.7 million euros.

He moved to the Serie A club Parma F.C. on loan in August 2007. The Italian club had an option to buy him in the summer for a fee of 20 million Swedish kronor (around €2 million). Mariga agreed to a four year deal to keep him at Serie A side Parma for four years until the end of June 2012, after the club paid a transfer fee for Swedish Kronor 18 million (approx. 1.94 million euros). The deal, brokered by former Swede great Martin Dahlin, now an agent, falls short of the 20 Million Kronnor asking price initially set by Helsingborgs. 25% of the transfer fee will go to Enkopings SK, the club that first got Mariga to Sweden in 2005.

Mariga, who was rated at close to 0.8M euros way back in July last year saw his price tag gradually grow to the current figure fetched in just under a year after great performances in the Italian Serie A since he moved from Helsingborgs at the close of the European transfer window last August.

Mariga played 35 times for Parma in the Serie B during the 2008-2009 season scoring three time to help them back to Serie A for the 2009-2010 season.

Back To Home Page...

Dentinho Could Be A Welcome Addition To Manchester United

Corinthians hitman Dentinho could soon make a move to the English Premier League, with Manchester United and Arsenal said to be weighing up bids for the Brazilian forward.

Ciftci, the Corinthians coach explained:

"They [Corinthians] want too much money for Dentinho, so the club who are willing to pay that kind of money will land the player. He is a great talent. Another great Brazilian talent. A very good technical player who is good on the ball. The fans will love him in England, the public will worship him. A little bit like Cristiano Ronaldo. He wants to play in the Premier League, it doesn't make a difference if it is Arsenal or Manchester United."

The 20 year old, has enjoyed an immensely successful campaign with the Sao Paulo club, partnering Ronaldo up front and helping the club claim the Campeonato Paulista title earlier this year.

A dangerous striker, Dentinho is good both in the penalty area and when he cuts in from the wings. Composed in front of goal and skillful in the build up play, he has a lot of ability already and will certainly improve; a move to the Premier League will only enhance his prodigious talent.

Bruno Ferreira Bonfim, or simply Dentinho was born January 19, 1989 in Sao Paulo.

In 2007 after being promoted from the youth team he made his first appearance for Corinthians in the Brazilian League in the derby game against Palmeiras, and scored his first goal in a draw against Fluminense.

2008 saw him become Corinthians top scorer during the Campeonato Paulista 2008. Also was the team top scorer(alongside wirh player Herrera) with 14 goals during the championship campaign Campeonato Brasileiro Série B 2008.

This year the player put in very good performances and lead team to the title alongside new Corinthians signing Ronaldo during the Campeonato Paulista 2009.

Back To Home Page...

Carlos Tevez Decided To Leave Manchester United Two Weeks Ago

The Daily Mirror claims Carlos Tevez will complete his £25.5 million move in the coming days, but had decided to leave Old Trafford over two weeks ago based on his belief that Sir Alex Ferguson did not rate him enough to make him a first choice player.

News that Tevez would not return for United's pre-season training broke over the weekend after the club announced he had rejected the offer of a five-year contract. City meanwhile are thought to have tabled a deal worth over £100,000-a-week over five years.

It is also being reported that Ferguson was aware of Tevez's decision to go and as such has been on the hunt for a suitable replacement ever since. So far, United have been linked with signing Wigan's Antonio Valencia, Karim Benzema and Franck Ribery this summer using the £80m generated through the almost complete sale of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Tevez's arrival at City stands to cast a degree of doubt over the future of Robinho, who, after one season in the Premier League, may find himself as Mark Hughes' third choice striker behind the Argentine and Craig Bellamy.

Farewell Cristiano Ronaldo And Thanks For The Memories!

Cristiano Ronaldo. He was a diver. He was a poser. He was a faker. He was a primped up poodle, a dummy-spitter and a prima donna. He was flash, he was vulgar, he was diva-high maintenance, a fresh-flowers-in-my-hotel-room type of new-age footballer. He was stretch limos and blacked-out windows, diamond-stud earrings and clothes with his name written on them. In case he forgot who he was. He sulked, he flirted, he pouted, he sat on his backside in protest if he didn't get a free-kick. Like it was an offence against his divinity. He was fickle, he was restless, he was rootless, he was rude. He turned his back on his manager when he had the temerity to substitute him.

His little wink at the Portugal bench after Wayne Rooney had been sent off in the 2006 World Cup said a lot, it was as if we had looked through a window into his soul. There was no Eric Cantona warmth about him. He was not a vulnerable man. Not a football philosopher. Not a man who played with joie de vivre.

But he is a fucking good footballer, there's no question about that. I am an avid Manchester United supporter and I found it hard to like him but it was even harder still not to admire him.

Despite all his faults and his foibles, he established beyond all reasonable doubt during his Manchester United years that he was the best player in the world.

Frank Lampard, Fernando Torres and Ryan Giggs rolled into one. A midfiled goalscoring machine, a classic centre-forward and a wizard of dribble. A man built to terrorise defences and reduce goalkeepers to quivering wrecks.

Take the towering header he scored against Roma in the Champions League quarterfinal back in April 2008. The height he reached with his leap was simply incredible, the way he brushed the defenders aside like they didn't exist, the bravery of his commitment: Any out and out striker throughout history would have been proud of that.

He was just a never ending joy to watch, whether you are a United fan or not.

The goal he scored against FC Porto in Portugal was the goal of the season. An absolute thunderbolt from 40 yards to end the Portugese teams record of never having lost to an English team at home in the CL. That was a magnificent goal.

His one man demolition of Arsenal in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals was one of the performances of the season, maybe the best performance of ANY player in a Champions League game.

HE REALLY IS THE PLAYER WHO HAS EVERYTHING. Even if Lionel Messi had the last laugh when Barcelona beat United in Rome last month, Ronaldo is still the best player on the planet.

Messi is easier to like than Ronaldo, so he will always have an advantage purely on that basis with those who are rubbed up the wrong way by Ronaldo's petulance and strutting arrogance.

But all this talk of warmth and how easy Messi is to like obscures the fact that Ronaldo is the harder man to play against.

The day before the Champions League final, one of the best defenders the world has ever seen, Marcel Desailly, declared that Ronaldo, not Messi, would have been his worst nightmare.

Unpredictable, powerful, good in the air, lightning fast, an explosive shooter, a fine crosser, a dead-ball expert: there was nothing he couldn't do. United will not miss his attitude. Nor will they regret the absence of his posturing and his selfishness but even if Sir Alex Ferguson is allowed to invest all the £80m from his sale in the purchase of new players, United will be a poorer team without Ronaldo.

The sad thing is that Ronaldo will almost certainly be a poorer player without United, too. At Old Trafford, he had men like Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez who were willing to run themselves into the ground for the team and leave the glory to Ronaldo.

The attacking part of the team was built around him. Others made sacrifices. He reaped the rewards.

Despite all that, he has agitated for a move to Madrid like a little boy tugging at his mummy's sleeve and whining and whimpering until he gets what he wants.

Well now he's got his wish and so to Ronaldo the footballer I say good luck and may you have many, many years of good fortune and success and thankyou so much for all you did for Manchester United and us, the fans.

But to Ronaldo the man consumed by narcissism and hubris, I say grow up and good riddance.

Even if Lionel Messi had the last laugh when Barcelona beat United in Rome last month, Ronaldo is still the best player on the planet.....no one will make me believe otherwise.

Back To Home Page...

Manchester United Accept World Record Bid Of £80 Million For Cristiano Ronaldo From Real Madrid

Well, it would seem Ronaldo is off to join Real Madrid.

A statement was placed on the official Manchester United website this morning which reads:

Record Ronaldo bid accepted

Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of £80million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.

At Cristiano's request - who has again expressed his desire to leave - and after discussion with the player's representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player.

Matters are expected to be concluded by 30 June. The club will not comment until further notice.

Back To Home Page...

Manchester United Closing In On Antonio Valencia From Wigan

Manchester United have been watching Antonio Valencia for a long time now. With the departure of Steve Bruce from the JJB and the arrival of Swansea manager Roberto Martinez, Valencia has decided it is time to move on. Especially with all this upheavel.

Manchester United are in pole position to beat Real Madrid to the signing of Antonio Valencia. United are embroiled in a tug-of-war for his signature with Real Madrid although agent Diego Herrera says the Spanish giants have yet to make a move. The Ecuador winger has caught the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson this season and the United manager has reportedly made a £16million bid for him.

Madrid were said to have made a bid themselves but Herrera has heard nothing - paving the way for United to pounce. Florentino Perez sanctioned the world record breaking transfer of Kaka from AC Milan but as far as Valencia is concerned, he's kept quiet.

"The only official offer from Real Madrid for Antonio was last January. The offer came from the previous president but Florentino is over there now so I don't know if they are going to go for him again.

"It is the right time for him to leave, now that the manager has left, he feels it is time to move on."

Back To Home Page...

Tevez, Nani And Park To Be Shown The Exit As Fergie Tries To Reshape Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson will reshape his humiliated Manchester United squad after their Champions League debacle against Barcelona.

I think Shell-shocked Fergie has decided he will not take up the option to buy Carlos Tevez, even though David Gill will be meeting up with Kia Joorabchian tomorrow to try to come to some sort of arrangement. I think too much damage has been done to the relationship with Tevez now. After all his efforts and some timely goals for us too, he now feels terribly let down by Fergie. At the same time, Nani and Ji-Sung Park could also be high-profile victims of the Rome drubbing.

The United manager believes Lyon’s Karim Benzema represents better value for money than Tevez – and to meet Lyon’s £30million asking price there will be fall guys. Nani has failed to impress in his second season at United, while Park may be sacrificed so Fergie can bring in Wigan’s £15m-rated midfielder Antonio Valencia, a long-term target.

Goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak is on his way out this summer after failing to impress in three years, with Fergie keen to give England goalkeeper Ben Foster more first-team opportunities next season. United will not take up the option to buy Tevez unless the player’s advisers, led by Kia Joorabchian, lower their asking price by a third to around £18m. (Story continues below)

Tevez’s exit seemed all but decided with him again criticising Ferguson yesterday. He said: “I wanted to play in the starting line-up in Rome but that decision was down to the coach. “But with a strategy more attacking in the first minute then perhaps the result would have been different. It has not been a good time for me because I believe that I should have played more minutes. My future will now be decided. My agents are negotiating and I am waiting to hear some news.”

Tevez was the only senior member of the squad not to return to Manchester with the rest of the United party yesterday and wore a tracksuit to the subdued United post-match party, rather than the official club suits his team-mates adhered to.

One player staying put is Cristiano Ronaldo. New Real president Florentino Perez is targeting AC Milan’s Kaka instead, while former Real icon Zinedine Zidane, whom Perez wants as his sporting director, rates Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery above Ronaldo.

Back To Home Page...

Kaka To Manchester United As Ronaldo Leaves For Madrid.

I read this on Clubcall and was wondering to myself is there much truth in it? Would this really happen? Is it a possibility?

Manchester United are reported to have held talks with AC Milan star Kaka with a view to wrapping up a summer swoop. Representatives of the Brazilian are said to have met up with United officials on Friday to discuss a possible deal and now the ball is in the club's court according to sources close to the player.

If United are keen they would first have to match Milan's sky high valuation, thought to be in the region of £100m, before agreeing to the Brazilian's personal demands. Whether United are keen remains to be seen but reports are rife suggesting a deal could be on the cards.

"It was a very positive meeting, although nothing was agreed," the source has been quoted as saying. "The player wants a five-year contract and wages of £135,000 a week. He is very keen to join United and these are figures that are within United's pay structure. It's up to them what happens now."

I suppose if Ronaldo were to move to Real Madrid, then it would be a logical move to find someone in the same class to replace him. But why would Kaka want to leave AC Milan? Maybe the fact their team is getting rather old now and their effectiveness in the Champions League seems to have wavered a bit in recent years would be reason enough.

Why would Kaka want to come and play in the Premier League? I think every player in Europe would like to play in the EPL to be honest. Right now it's the best and most successful league in the world.

Surely United wouldn't pay 100 million Euros for a player. The day will come when football has it's first 100 million Euro, or £100 million player, so why not now? I think in the current climate Kaka, Messi and Ronaldo could all be valued at around the £100 million mark. That's not to say they are worth that. Many people criticise Ronaldo and say he is not worth £100 million, but that's irrelevant. People seem to forget that their opinions are worthless when it comes to valuing players. The people who say he is not worth 50, 60, 70 or £100 million are talking through their asses.

The simple fact is.....a player is worth whatever sum of money he commands on the open market. If Ronaldo were to come up for sale, after a fall out with Fergie for instance, and Fergie was determined to get rid of him no matter what, and the best bid was £50 million, then he IS worth £50 million. A players value comes down to the simple fact that he is only worth whatever anyone is willing to pay for him.

AC Milan say they want 100 million euros for Kaka, to them he is worth that much. I agree he is worth somewhere in that region too. Manchester United can afford to pay this money. He is demanding £135,000 per week sources say, and that is within United's pay structure. Add to this the fact Kaka has openly said on many occasions that he wants to play in the EPL and this deal is not as crazy as it sounds.

Personally, I don't think Ronaldo is going anywhere as it happens. If Ronaldo stays then we certainly wont be signing Kaka, not a chance. But, if Fergie were to sell Ronaldo, he does have a habit of quelling the fans displeasure at some of his transfer dealings by coming up with replacements and results that soon make United fans forgive him.

Exit Ronaldo, enter Kaka is a good scenario, and it's the only way either of these players is going anywhere, but would you be happy with this exchange, do you believe it will happen, is it on the cards or is all this rumour mongering a ploy by the newspapers to get us to but their goods, no matter what they write is true or not?



Back To Home Page...

Reuben Noble Lazarus Trains With Manchester United For Two Weeks

Barnsley player Reuben Noble-Lazarus is currently training with Manchester United for two weeks.

Noble-Lazarus is still only 15 years of age and has made two substitute appearance for the Barnsley this season.

He has been a regular in the Reserves and also scored a memorable hat-trick against Sheffield United in the Academy side.

Reuben has been with Barnsley Football Club setup from the age of twelve and this season he has played for the Under 16s, 18s, Reserves and First team.

Noble-Lazarus was born 16 August 1993. He can play as an outright striker or on the left, and is renowned for his speed. At 15 years and 45 days old, he became the youngest player ever to feature in a Football League match when he came on as a substitute during Barnsley's 3–0 Championship defeat by Ipswich Town on 30 September 2008.

The previous weekend, Noble-Lazarus had scored a hat-trick for the Barnsley under-18 team, for whom he had played since he was 12 years old, and was selected as a substitute for the senior team's visit to Portman Road. Coming on in the 84th minute of the match to replace Martin Devaney, Noble-Lazarus surpassed the record set by Bradford Park Avenue's Albert Geldard in September 1929, and equalled by Welshman Ken Roberts for Wrexham F.C. in 1951, by 113 days. He was too young to be paid for his appearance – Barnsley manager Simon Davey joked he would be given pizza and a ham sandwich for his efforts – and was due to return to Newsome High School in Huddersfield the following day.

Davey had wanted to play Noble-Lazarus in the League Cup earlier in the season but was prevented from doing so by the competition's rules, which prohibit the selection of players under the age of 15. The club has made an agreement with Noble-Lazarus' school to allow him to train with the club for two days each week. Davey has said that the club will "nurture" Noble-Lazarus by ensuring that he is "...dipped in and dipped back out..." of the team. Noble-Lazarus was included in Barnsley's squad to face Doncaster Rovers the weekend after his debut, making another substitute appearance when he came on for Iain Hume in the 87th minute.

Back To Home Page...

Franck Ribery To Manchester United

It has been reported that Manchester United are planning to sign Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery this summer, according to a report in the News of the World claiming that the English champions have joined the chase for the French international and will beat off competition from the likes of Barcelona and Inter to sign the 25-year-old.

The paper reports that their sources at the Nou Camp believe that the Red Devils are almost certain to capture Ribery and have already begun negotiations with the Bayern man. Ribery joined Bayern in 2007 from Marseille and has been a huge hit in the Bundesliga helping his side claim a league and cup double last season.....Back To Home Page...

Brazilian Ace On The Brink Of Manchester United Move

As I have reported before, Douglas Costa is high on Manchester United's shopping list and they are favourites to sign him after Villarreal pulled out of the race to sign him.

The Gremio winger, dubbed the new Ronaldinho, was reportedly on the verge of sealing a move to Spain in the summer but Villarreal chief executive Jose Luis Llaneza has ruled out the possibility of signing him.Costa has a contract at Gremio until 2013 but an offer of around £12million is likely to be enough to sign the 18-year-old.

Real Madrid are also interested but the exciting South American prospect is rumoured to prefer a move to Old Trafford and link up with fellow countryman Anderson.

Back To Home Page...

Walter Henrique Da Silva

Manchester United are determined to land £5million-rated wonderkid Walter.

The 19-year-old, who plays for Brazil's Internacional, caught United's eye in the South American Youth Championships.

The striker, full name Walter Henrique Da Silva, is seen as Brazil's next big prospect.

Meanwhile, United had representatives in the stands to see another transfer target, Neymar, make his senior debut for Santos over the weekend.




Walter Henrique da Silva

Date of birth: 22/07/1989
Place of birth: Recife, Pernambuco
Height: 1.78 Mts.
Weight: 86 Kgs.
Foot: Right
Position: Forward
Team: SC Internacional

First Steps

Walter Henrique da Silva, or just Walter as he is known, started his career with the modest São José club in Porto Alegre at the age of 14.

In 2007 though he was discovered by one of the biggest sides in the Rio Grande do Sul as Internacional moved for him. After spending a season on loan at the club, where he shone in the you teams, he was signed on a permanent deal.

The 19-year-old is a typical number nine as he has a strong physique, is powerful and can score goals at will. But as well as being a striker that likes a physical game, he has also shown how good he is technically in the build-up too.

Walter's official debut for Inter came on May 11, 2008 when he played in the Brazilian championships against Vasco da Gama in the Beira Rio stadium when he came off the bench to replace Iarley.

That same year he went on to play eleven times for the first team, starting four games, but he has yet to score his first goal at the highest level.

"He is a player with great potential, but he is still very young and will mature," former Holland international and current Manchester United scout Jaap Stam stated.


National Team

After playing a number of games in Inter's first team, Rogério Lourenço, Dunga's assistant and technical director of the Under-20 team, called Walter up to become part of the new look squad aiming to make it to the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt this year.

Walter was part of the squad that played in the youth championship in L'Alcudia in Spain in August and was named as the best player in the tournament.

He went into the South American Under-20 event in Venezuela as the key player in the Brazilian team and in his first five games he scored four goals.

Future

The South American championships could change Walter's life and, after finishing the year not playing much for Inter, what his next step would be was therefore undecided.

Following his great performances in Venezuela though, the club could now choose to cash in on the striker and sell him for a profit without ever having seen him become a regular for them.

Walter, who is represented by agent Humberto Rímolo, does have a contract until 2013, but has been tracked by several major European club, including Manchester United.

Back To Home Page...

Alexis Sanchez On Manchester United Radar Again

Manchester United are again preparing to make a new attempt to sign Alexis Sanchez from Udinese. It's not the first time they will have shown a great interest in the youngster, as I have reported earlier writing about who Sanchez is and again when Sanchez said he was keen to play for United.

Sir Alex Ferguson has long tracked the forward dubbed 'Chile's answer to Cristiano Ronaldo' and may be forced into a summer move for the 20-year-old as a number of European clubs are preparing to make bids. Udinese are braced for a renewed approach from Manchester United for Alexis Sanchez. The 20-year-old Chilean striker has become one of the most promising youngsters in Italian football, due to a number of impressive performances as Udinese’s number 11.

He began his professional career with the Chilean club Cobreloa. He played one season there before being signed by the Serie A team, Udinese. Udinese had to pay nearly $3 million for his signature. Colo-Colo then paid Udinese nearly $150,000 for his services in the upcoming Clausura tournament and the following Apertura tournament in the Liga Chilena.. ....Back To Home Page...

AC Milan And Real Madrid Keen On Jonny Evans

The Mail on Sunday are reporting that AC Milan are joining Real Madrid in their interest for Manchester United defender Jonny Evans. That doesn't impress me much at all. When all seemed lost with injuries to Rio, Neville and Wes, Jonny Evans stepped in and did a sterling job, he was immense for us when needed. I'm sure he will get many chances to play first team football for United so I do hope he decides to stick around.

Real Madrid see him as a possible successor to Fabio Cannavaro. They spent last summer in pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo, and have also been linked recently with United marksman Carlos Tevez......then again, having said that, Real Madrid keep on linking themselves to EVERY player at United, such a show of public jealousy of what we have must be embarassing for them but such is life.....Back To Home Page...

Fergie Signs Antwerp Youngster

Sir Alex Ferguson has successfully completed a swoop for highly-rated 15-year-old striker Charni Ekangamene. The striker, who is of Congelese descent, has been training with Belgian club Royal Antwerp with whom the reigning European champions have a close relationship. Fergie got in just ahead of Arsenal, Chelsea and Ajax, who were also keen on him.

The starlet will sign professional terms at Old Trafford when he turns 16 but until then he will stay with Antwerp.

Manchester United use Antwerp as a 'feeder' club, often sending their own players there to learn their trade, the likes of John O'Shea and Darron Gibson to name but two.

"He is a great talent," Antwerp youth director Alex Vervecken told HNB. Antwerp have confirmed the deal on their website, stating that they are happy to have agreed terms with United.

Whether or not he makes it in the Premier League are another story. I have never heard of the guy before now but having said that, aged 15 he wont have done too much yet anyway. I just hope he is not another Manucho, I fail to see the reasoning behind signing Manucho personally......Back To Home Page...

Douglas Costa Is Being Watched By United........Five Months Ago

I read ths from a supposedly reliable source, sport.co.uk, this morning.....

Reports in South America claim that Manchester United are tracking Gremio youngster Douglas Costa de Souza. The 18-year-old attacking midfielder could follow in the footsteps of United’s twin starlets Rafael and Fabio da Silva who both joined the Manchester club’s academy having strutted their stuff at Fluminense.

Costa currently plays for top flight side Gremio and made his debut in the Campeonato Brasiliero last year against Botafogo notching his first goal in the same game. Known for his left-foot, swift trickery and set-piece prowess he has already been labelled in the local press as the ‘next Ronaldinho’ and was reportedly scouted by Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid after several sterling performances in the under-17 Copa Santiago tournament in which he led Gremio to victory.

Recognising the qualities of their youngster, Gremio have been quick to slap a high valuation on their starlet, thought to be in the region of £20m, and contracted him until 2013.

I started to get a bit of deja vous. Talk about shutting the gate after the horse has bolted. I had that all written and wrapped up in October, HERE. So remember, when you want some news about United that is up to date and not five months old, you should come and see aunty Carly. Or even better, subscribe to this blog by email in the little contact box at the top of the left hand side bar.....Back To Home Page...

Real Madrid And Manchester United Chase Brucie's Bonus

The battle to sign Luis Antonio Valencia is still raging on in the background and it looks like Steve Bruce holds all the aces for this one. Manchester United and Real Madrid are both casting their envious eyes in the direction of Luis Antonio Valencia and as far as Wigan Athletic are concerened they are prepared to do an 'EL Zamalek'.

With the Egyptian outfit preparing to sell Latics' loanee striker, Amr Zaki, to the highest bidder, Steve Bruce will do likewise with regards to Valencia.

It is expected that the English and Spanish giants will now have to break through the £20 million barrier in order to get their man.....Back To Home Page...

Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona And Mario Gomez

There is still no news from Manchester United on the Carlos Tevez saga. It took forever and day to sign him and now it is taking even longer to put an end to this transfer issue now. Real Madrid have shown an interest in him. They have also been showing an interest in Manchester United target Mario Gomez too. The stuttgart striker has been watched by scouts from United several times. Given this fact, it looks like Tevez is being edged out the door.

The news comes from Sport Bild. Manchester United and Real Madrid could be joined in the race for Gomez' signature by Barcelona too.

With a contract set to last until 2012 he wont come cheap. But that said, a striker who has scored 24 times in 31 matches wont be available at a bargain price anyway.

He does have a buy out clause in his contract for this summer believed to be in the region of €35 million which could be agreeable to any of the clubs after him.

If he were to move to Madrid it seems likely that he would either be used as a replacement for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who has not settled well in Spain, or would be a long-term replacement for Raul whereas at United he would more than likely replace Carlos Tevez who appears to be on the way out from United.....Back To Home Page...