Manchester Evening News
United's hit list
ROBINSON: Prospect
SIR Alex Ferguson will this summer strengthen United's squad to improve their chances of recapturing the European Cup. But who will Fergie spend his money on? M.E.N. Sport's Reds reporter Stuart Mathieson today assesses the players who have been linked with the Reds and their chances of arriving at Old Trafford.
Julien Escude
Club: Rennes
Age: 23
Position: Full back
Value: £4m
United were closed to signing the former French Under-21 Julien Escude on the eve of last September’s Champion’s League deadline. Has lost none of his appeal during the campaign in France.
Chances: High because Fergie has already tried to sign him.
Ricardo Quaresma
Club: Sporting Lisbon
Age: 19
Position: Forward
Value: £5m
An exciting prospect, Quaresma is sead to be the best thing to come out of Portugal since Luis Figo. Full of tricks and United’s impending link-up with Sporting has made them strong favourites to capture the player.
Chances: Good because of coach Carlos Quieroz’s links with Sporting.
Paul Robinson
Club: Leeds United
Age: 23
Position: Goalkeeper
Value: £8m
Best young English keeper around and Leeds till need cash from somewhere to pay their debts. Despite his age Robinson is maturing fast as a goalkeeper. Bonus is he’s a self-confessed Red. The end of season dip in form and uncertain future of Fabien Barthez has upped Fergie’s interest.
Chances: Good if Barthez is surplus to requirements.
Ronaldinho
Club: Paris St Germain
Age: 23
Position: In hole behind front man
Value: £15m
French club claims to have turned down a meeting already with United officials about Ronaldinho. Approaches after the French Cup final at the end of the month will be looked on favourable. Would bring the kind of cunning Fergie wants for the European stage.
Chances: He’s the big one, but it’s 3-1 because Barcelona and Valencia are also interested.
Damien Duff
Club: Blackburn Rovers
Age: 24
Position: Winger, but can play as striker
Value: £15m
Rovers would be reluctant sellers but have admitted that a substantial offer for the Irishman coul;dn’t be ignored. Would provide arefreshing new wing talent to Reds ranks and has the versatility to play up front.
Chances: Fergie would love to have him but the price is off-putting.
Joe Cole
Club: West Ham United
Age: 21
Position: Central Midfield
Value: £8m
Fergie is a long-term admirer of Londoner Joe Cole. Brought him to Old Trafford as a kid on trial and wanted to sign him, but the midfielder preferred to stay at home. West Ham’s relegation means their stars are potentially up for grabs.
Chances: A possibility because he can take people on from midfield.
Harry Kewell:
Club: Leeds United
Age: 25
Position: Left sided forward
Value: £7m
Another Elland Road asset who could help ease their financial burden. His extravagant style would be lapped up by Reds fans and fit into Fergie’s plans for something different in the Champions League.
Chances: Good because he can beat opponents and is available at a reasonable price.
BELLION: Wanted man?
Cafu
Club: Roma
Age: 33
Position: Attacking full-back
Value: £2m
Brazil’s World Cup-winning captain Cafu has been linked with United previously and is now due to leave Roma. Was going to go to Japan before the Sars boutbreak and now AC Milan are reported to be keen. Fits the bill in attack and defence.
Chances: Unlikely because age is against him, but they said that about Laurent Blanc
James Beattie
Club: Southampton
Age: 25
Position: Striker
Value: £15m
Has said he is prepared to remaina t the FA Cup finalists although Liverpool are interested. May not be ideal foil with Ruud van Nistelrooy but would be a powerful option who can score goals.
Chances: Unlikely because United need a world class striker to partner Ruud.
Roy Makaay
Club: Deportivo La Coruna
Age: 28
Position: Striker
Value: £12m
Bayern Munich tested the water with Deportivo about Makaay and were knocked back. The tall Dutch goalscorer, who has been exceptional in La Liga this season, has said he’d rather go to Old Trafford than anywhere if he had the choice.
Chances: A possibility if other deals fall through.
David Bellion
Club: Sunderland
Age: 20
Position: Forward
Value: £2m
Is one for the future rather than the present. United are favourites to wrap up a deal for the French youngster. Needs his rough edges smoothed down, but that would happen at Old Trafford.
Chances: High because Fergie tried to sign him in January and he is a free agent at the end of June.
Lilian Thuram
Club: Juventus
Age: 31
Position: Defender
Value: £2m
Sir Alex is a committed admirer of Frenchman Lilian Thuram who can play all across the back four. Would add vast Euro experience to United’s young back line.
Chances: A possibility because Fergie has tried to sign him in the past.
Brad Friedel
Club: Blackburn Rovers
Age: 32
Position: Goalkeeper
Value: £6m
He was rated the best goalkeeper in the Premiership this season. The American has been outstanding for Blackburn and he has the presence and experience.
Chances: Evens – he was the best keeper last season but can United prise him from Rovers?
Roberto Ayala
Club: Valencia
Age: 30
Position: Centre-back
Value: £6m
The possible 12-month injury KO for Wes Brown plus Fergie’s desire to add a bit of experience to United’s young defensive ranks could see a move for the powerful Argentinean Roberto Ayala,
Chances: Slim unless Fergie decides he needs cover for Brown.
RONALDO: Target?
Rubens Baraja
Club: Valencia
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Value: £18m
Midfield doesn’t appear to be top priority for United’s fine-utning but if Valencia are ready to let the Roy Keane-stile aggressive midfielder gi, then he would be a powerful addition for the Reds.
Chances: Slim unless other deals break down.
Athirson
Club: Juventus (on loan at Flamengo)
Age: 26
Position: Defender
Value: £4m
Hasn’t been a success at Serie A so Juventus have loaned Athirson back to the Brazilian club where he has played very well.
Chances: Very unlikely.
Alan Smith
Club: Leeds United
Age: 22
Position: Forward
Value: £5m
Has a poor disciplinary record but Sir Alex is believed to like the feisty striker and if anyone can curb his short fuse then Fergie can.
Chances: Admired by Fergie for his passion for football, but an outside chance.
Nihat
Club: Real Sociedad
Age: 23
Position: Midfield-cum-forward
Value: £6m
A player who has helped put Real in with a strong chance of lifting the Spanish championship. United watched him when Turkey played England at Sunderland. He was relatively quiet up on Wearside but proved he can shoot from anywhere.
Chances: Fair because he is a proven goalscorer in La Liga.
Ronaldo
Club: Real Madrid
Age: 26
Position: Striker
Value: £25m
United’s Champions League dream destroyer hasn’t fully settled down at the Bernabeu and Old Trafford fans urged Fergie to sign him when he completed his hat-trick in the quarter final. Wage packet would be a problem and he wants to stay at Real.
Chances: Little hope of him leaving Madrid.
Patrick Vieira
Club: Arsenal
Age: 27
Position: Central midfield
Value: £25m
IN an ideal world Fergie would have Vieira. Chased his signature in 2001 but got Veron in the end. Highbury contract problems are unsettling his Arsenal future but is expected tog et what he want in the end. If not then a move abroad is most likely.
Chances: Remote at best
United's hit list
ROBINSON: Prospect
SIR Alex Ferguson will this summer strengthen United's squad to improve their chances of recapturing the European Cup. But who will Fergie spend his money on? M.E.N. Sport's Reds reporter Stuart Mathieson today assesses the players who have been linked with the Reds and their chances of arriving at Old Trafford.
Julien Escude
Club: Rennes
Age: 23
Position: Full back
Value: £4m
United were closed to signing the former French Under-21 Julien Escude on the eve of last September’s Champion’s League deadline. Has lost none of his appeal during the campaign in France.
Chances: High because Fergie has already tried to sign him.
Ricardo Quaresma
Club: Sporting Lisbon
Age: 19
Position: Forward
Value: £5m
An exciting prospect, Quaresma is sead to be the best thing to come out of Portugal since Luis Figo. Full of tricks and United’s impending link-up with Sporting has made them strong favourites to capture the player.
Chances: Good because of coach Carlos Quieroz’s links with Sporting.
Paul Robinson
Club: Leeds United
Age: 23
Position: Goalkeeper
Value: £8m
Best young English keeper around and Leeds till need cash from somewhere to pay their debts. Despite his age Robinson is maturing fast as a goalkeeper. Bonus is he’s a self-confessed Red. The end of season dip in form and uncertain future of Fabien Barthez has upped Fergie’s interest.
Chances: Good if Barthez is surplus to requirements.
Ronaldinho
Club: Paris St Germain
Age: 23
Position: In hole behind front man
Value: £15m
French club claims to have turned down a meeting already with United officials about Ronaldinho. Approaches after the French Cup final at the end of the month will be looked on favourable. Would bring the kind of cunning Fergie wants for the European stage.
Chances: He’s the big one, but it’s 3-1 because Barcelona and Valencia are also interested.
Damien Duff
Club: Blackburn Rovers
Age: 24
Position: Winger, but can play as striker
Value: £15m
Rovers would be reluctant sellers but have admitted that a substantial offer for the Irishman coul;dn’t be ignored. Would provide arefreshing new wing talent to Reds ranks and has the versatility to play up front.
Chances: Fergie would love to have him but the price is off-putting.
Joe Cole
Club: West Ham United
Age: 21
Position: Central Midfield
Value: £8m
Fergie is a long-term admirer of Londoner Joe Cole. Brought him to Old Trafford as a kid on trial and wanted to sign him, but the midfielder preferred to stay at home. West Ham’s relegation means their stars are potentially up for grabs.
Chances: A possibility because he can take people on from midfield.
Harry Kewell:
Club: Leeds United
Age: 25
Position: Left sided forward
Value: £7m
Another Elland Road asset who could help ease their financial burden. His extravagant style would be lapped up by Reds fans and fit into Fergie’s plans for something different in the Champions League.
Chances: Good because he can beat opponents and is available at a reasonable price.
BELLION: Wanted man?
Cafu
Club: Roma
Age: 33
Position: Attacking full-back
Value: £2m
Brazil’s World Cup-winning captain Cafu has been linked with United previously and is now due to leave Roma. Was going to go to Japan before the Sars boutbreak and now AC Milan are reported to be keen. Fits the bill in attack and defence.
Chances: Unlikely because age is against him, but they said that about Laurent Blanc
James Beattie
Club: Southampton
Age: 25
Position: Striker
Value: £15m
Has said he is prepared to remaina t the FA Cup finalists although Liverpool are interested. May not be ideal foil with Ruud van Nistelrooy but would be a powerful option who can score goals.
Chances: Unlikely because United need a world class striker to partner Ruud.
Roy Makaay
Club: Deportivo La Coruna
Age: 28
Position: Striker
Value: £12m
Bayern Munich tested the water with Deportivo about Makaay and were knocked back. The tall Dutch goalscorer, who has been exceptional in La Liga this season, has said he’d rather go to Old Trafford than anywhere if he had the choice.
Chances: A possibility if other deals fall through.
David Bellion
Club: Sunderland
Age: 20
Position: Forward
Value: £2m
Is one for the future rather than the present. United are favourites to wrap up a deal for the French youngster. Needs his rough edges smoothed down, but that would happen at Old Trafford.
Chances: High because Fergie tried to sign him in January and he is a free agent at the end of June.
Lilian Thuram
Club: Juventus
Age: 31
Position: Defender
Value: £2m
Sir Alex is a committed admirer of Frenchman Lilian Thuram who can play all across the back four. Would add vast Euro experience to United’s young back line.
Chances: A possibility because Fergie has tried to sign him in the past.
Brad Friedel
Club: Blackburn Rovers
Age: 32
Position: Goalkeeper
Value: £6m
He was rated the best goalkeeper in the Premiership this season. The American has been outstanding for Blackburn and he has the presence and experience.
Chances: Evens – he was the best keeper last season but can United prise him from Rovers?
Roberto Ayala
Club: Valencia
Age: 30
Position: Centre-back
Value: £6m
The possible 12-month injury KO for Wes Brown plus Fergie’s desire to add a bit of experience to United’s young defensive ranks could see a move for the powerful Argentinean Roberto Ayala,
Chances: Slim unless Fergie decides he needs cover for Brown.
RONALDO: Target?
Rubens Baraja
Club: Valencia
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Value: £18m
Midfield doesn’t appear to be top priority for United’s fine-utning but if Valencia are ready to let the Roy Keane-stile aggressive midfielder gi, then he would be a powerful addition for the Reds.
Chances: Slim unless other deals break down.
Athirson
Club: Juventus (on loan at Flamengo)
Age: 26
Position: Defender
Value: £4m
Hasn’t been a success at Serie A so Juventus have loaned Athirson back to the Brazilian club where he has played very well.
Chances: Very unlikely.
Alan Smith
Club: Leeds United
Age: 22
Position: Forward
Value: £5m
Has a poor disciplinary record but Sir Alex is believed to like the feisty striker and if anyone can curb his short fuse then Fergie can.
Chances: Admired by Fergie for his passion for football, but an outside chance.
Nihat
Club: Real Sociedad
Age: 23
Position: Midfield-cum-forward
Value: £6m
A player who has helped put Real in with a strong chance of lifting the Spanish championship. United watched him when Turkey played England at Sunderland. He was relatively quiet up on Wearside but proved he can shoot from anywhere.
Chances: Fair because he is a proven goalscorer in La Liga.
Ronaldo
Club: Real Madrid
Age: 26
Position: Striker
Value: £25m
United’s Champions League dream destroyer hasn’t fully settled down at the Bernabeu and Old Trafford fans urged Fergie to sign him when he completed his hat-trick in the quarter final. Wage packet would be a problem and he wants to stay at Real.
Chances: Little hope of him leaving Madrid.
Patrick Vieira
Club: Arsenal
Age: 27
Position: Central midfield
Value: £25m
IN an ideal world Fergie would have Vieira. Chased his signature in 2001 but got Veron in the end. Highbury contract problems are unsettling his Arsenal future but is expected tog et what he want in the end. If not then a move abroad is most likely.
Chances: Remote at best