Exclusive: Manchester United Plan Swoop For 'Norwegian Nemanja Vidic'
Sir Alex Ferguson 'hugely impressed' with defender Even Hovland
By Matt Monaghan
Feb 5, 2010 2:18:00 PM
Even Hovland(
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Even Hovland(
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Sir Alex Ferguson wants to sign up Norwegian powerhouse Even Hovland after the youngster wowed him in two trials.
Goal.com UK understands that the 20-year old Sogndal centre-back “hugely impressed” the Scot at Manchester United's Carrington training ground. A medical was even carried out during his second period in England last month, although no formal agreement has been put in place.
United face a transfer scramble for the player whose combative performances have led to comparisons with Nemanja Vidic, with other Premier League and Norwegian clubs keen to land his signature.
A source close to the player confirmed to Goal.com UK that several Premier League and Tippeligaen sides are coveting Hovland, with Norwegian clubs able to buy him until the end of March.
He said: “Sir Alex Ferguson was hugely impressed by Even during his trials at United. The fact he was asked back again shows how well he did.
“I stress, no agreement has been reached between Sogndal and Manchester United and any move will have to wait until the summer transfer window opens.
“However, Sir Alex is not alone in holding an interest. A number of Premier League teams want him and Norwegian clubs want him now.
“The Norwegian transfer window is open until the end of March so something could happen there.”
Competitor | Hovland in action for Norway under-19s
Countrymen Henning Berg, Ronny Johnsen and reserve team manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer all excelled at Old Trafford. The trio lifted the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup 'treble' in 1999.
An eagle-eyed scouting department in Norway sees Magnus Eikrem, Josh King and recent signing Etzaz Hussein currently feature in United’s youth ranks.
If Hovland joins in the summer, he will arrive at the same time as £10 million signing and fellow centre-back Chris Smalling. The arrival of the young pair would set the platform for the next generation of United defenders with Vidic rumoured to be on his way to Spain or Italy.
The Norway under-19 and under-21 international, who was born in the tiny village of Vadheim, has racked up 88 appearances for Sogndal since joining the second-division outfit in 2006. He stands at an imposing 6ft 3in and is a dominating presence.
A broken leg ruled him out of most of 2009 Adeccoligaen campaign, but this didn’t halt Sir Alex's interest.
Hovland first came to England in December for a two-week period. This was followed up by another stint a week ago.
Speaking before the second trial, Sogndal director Egil Mundal told Norwegian broadcaster NRK: "Even has been offered a new trial for a few days.
"Of course, we gave him permission to do that. We haven't received a serious offer for him yet though."
Exclusive: Manchester United Plan Swoop For 'Norwegian Nemanja Vidic' - Goal.com
