Transfer speculation

Jens

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From Red News


This comes from a reader with some good sources. Make of it what you will. It's speculation. But nice speculation.

'I don’t know how much of it is true but ********* said at the beginning of the summer Ferguson met the board regarding possible signings and was told that there was £45 million to spend and any money re-couped by player sales would also be available for transfers.

Ferguson said he would be prepared to let Fortune and Yorke go and the board discussed fees of around £4 million for Fortune and £6 million for Yorke and Ferguson identified the fact that he felt he needed four players with Irwin, Johnson and the other two first teamers above leaving. Ferguson was apparently asked about Veron and he simply stated that yes if it meant he got one of his main priorities he would let him go.

Ferguson gave a list of players indicating his first choices that he hoped the club could sign and then alternatives;

Rio Ferdinand was detailed as the number 1 target as a centre defender and it was agreed that if the signing was to be made it would be done before the end of July.

Damien Duff: Ferguson has been after him for over a year and the board are monitoring his situation and will compete with anyone for his signature. Ferguson can see him in the Giggs role or upfront with Van Nistelrooy – another priority signing and Yorke would go to Blackburn as part of the deal as Blackburn have bid £4 million for him during the World Cup.

Ronaldinho: Fergusons brother has been to watch him a couple of times and Ferguson indicated during the World Cup that he wanted him. He sees him as the ideal replacement in the Sheringham role and believes we have a good chance of luring him – The board felt PSG would be prepared to sell for around £25 million and an offer will be made soon.

The fourth player was Wayne Bridge: Ferguson has monitored him throughout last season and United made enquiries in May, and were flatly turned away however United feel a concrete offer could make them change there mind.

Other players discussed:
Rustu Recbar: Fergusons brother had been out to watch him three times and the board agreed that if they could sign him for around £4 million then he would be a good investment for the 2003/04 season when Barthez had indicated he would go back to France, however Ferguson agreed to wait until after the World Cup to see how he performed, Ferguson was impressed but after the World Cup Fenerbache said they would not be interested in selling and put a price of £10 million on him.

Nesta – Ferguson had been monitoring him and Cannavaro since Euro 2000 and it was felt that with Lazios' financial difficulties, this summer would be a good time to try and sign him, however his agent has made it clear that Nesta would not be prepared to move to any English club and therefore United have made no further enquiries.

Steve Finnan: A defender that Ferguson admires. If Southampton say no to Bridge. United will move in for him and they think they can get him for around £5 million.

Sorin: Another player that Ferguson has monitored for a couple of years and was one of his priorities as he can play in midfield as well, however Lazio were very quick to sign him and that deal is dead.

Ronaldo: Inter Milan offered Ronaldo to United 6 months ago for £15 million but United were not interested, however Ferguson believes that Ronaldo is unhappy at Inter and they are annoyed at his constant travelling back to Brazil for treatment and the way he prepared for the World Cup and for the right price United would now be interested

D’Alessandro – I think that’s his name. Young Argentine, plays in Argentina and Ferguson is prepared to wait to get him as he is a long term prospect and his club have priced him at £12 million. Will let him stay there until next season provided no one else comes in with a bid

Djbril Cisse – Another Ferguson is prepared to wait for but the board are unsure as to how many other clubs are interested after the world cup and may have to miss out on him – however his club have assured United that they want to keep him one more year and will not sell until next summer.

No bids for any players had been made yet and the board are really concentrating on the main four, with only a couple of the other players even being possibilities. Hopefully ******* is right as they are some pretty tasty players.

Keep up the site it is superb'
 
okay, here's who i think you'll get:

GK: rustu
CB: ayala
LB: sorin
ST: lopez


there's no non-eu rule anymore, so you won't have to worry about that...
 
That would fill all the holes in the current team. But I think the cost would be too high for the PLC. Rio [25M] Ronaldinho [25M] Duff [10-12M] and Bridge-Finan [5M] thats a total of 65-67M. With Utd recouping a possible [but unlikely] 10M from sales that would make it closer to 60M. I know we spent 47M last year but that was a one off IMO.
The transfer market looks very slow this year, it may be due to the WC but I think the current finances of clubs will mean they will settle for what they have and that will make it difficult for Utd to bring quality in.
On the other hand it may be the last chance for them to cash-in as surely something is going to be done about the spiralling transfer fees? Otherwise a lost of clubs will go bust.

we live in hope, come on SAF do your thing. ;)
 
Thanks for the story Jens. I think we all knew that they where the main targets but whether or not Fergi peruses this is another matter.
 
Thats not to bad actually, especially if Veron is sold along with Disco and Fortune that will rais at least £35m so the shortfall is not that much. If they sell Silvestre that would raise another £10million or so which would more or less cover Bridge/Finnan or both. It would also leave £10m over which could be used during the transfer window in the middle of the season.

Very Interesting :D
 
Originally posted by thumper:
<strong>Thats not to bad actually, especially if Veron is sold along with Disco and Fortune that will rais at least £35m so the shortfall is not that much. If they sell Silvestre that would raise another £10million or so which would more or less cover Bridge/Finnan or both. It would also leave £10m over which could be used during the transfer window in the middle of the season.

Very Interesting :D </strong><hr></blockquote>

10m on Silvestre? Even if he didn't have one year remaining on his contract, I doubt someone would pay that.
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Two left backs on that list, yet a lot of United fans on this forum think Silvestre is a great left back. Last season we were after Lizarazu as well, is it possible that Tweety's whinging, and awful positioning are going to cost him his place?
 
Two left backs, neither of which could displace Silvestre - especially not Bridge. I think Fergie might be looking at Bridge as a replacement for Denis, and Sorin for his ability to play at the back, as well as in midfield.
 
I think we will get Duff, Thuram, and possibly one left-back. Yorke will go in a player+cash deal for Duff. Hopefully Duff will be smarter than Rio and just say it out. Then it will probably be Thuram or Ayala, since we look to be out of luck for Rio and Nesta. Although Thuram is more expensive and older, his flexibility (CB and RB) will make him a better signing. That is unless he is much more expensive than Ayala who is only about 10M. Then there will probably be a LB. Although it may be someone we were linked with, it can be a surprise unknown and he should be a backup for Silvestre who I think is getting better and better.
 
Thuram is too old, to expensive and too slow. Not to mention lousy. Nesta is the likely guy we will get coz we might have to sell Veron to Lazio to finance a deal for both Roanaldinho who might cost 35m pounds <img src="graemlins/nervous.gif" border="0" alt="[Nervous]" />
 
Originally posted by kemo:
<strong>Thuram is too old, to expensive and too slow. Not to mention lousy. Nesta is the likely guy we will get coz we might have to sell Veron to Lazio to finance a deal for both Roanaldinho who might cost 35m pounds <img src="graemlins/nervous.gif" border="0" alt="[Nervous]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

Thuram is a slow and lousy player. Need I really bother to laugh?

As for Ronaldinho - no one will pay 35m for him.
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I dont believe a word of it. Why? Because of the part about Veron, it would be mad to sell him under the current market conditions, and to who - Lazio? FFS! <img src="graemlins/houllier.gif" border="0" alt="[Houllier]" />

SAF as we know is way too stubborn to let that one go after only one season.

Let us face facts, there will be no big signings this year.

Does that prospect scare or upset anyone?
 
Originally posted by WeasteDevil:
<strong>
Let us face facts, there will be no big signings this year.

Does that prospect scare or upset anyone?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Depends on what you call big, m8.

Do you think Ayala would be a big signing?
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Originally posted by Jens:
<strong>

Depends on what you call big, m8.

Do you think Ayala would be a big signing?</strong><hr></blockquote>

No, but a great signing if it happend. But the voices here in the Valencia area say there is no chance.

This is because I know many people here who are senior managers in the ceramic business (one is a very good friend), and also work for Pamesa (big ceramic company) which is owned by Fernando Roij, who also owns Villa Real, and who's brother is a director of Valencia CF and was president a couple of years ago. They all say that Ayala is going nowhere.

Also, Valencia have built there success on their defence - they can't score for toffee. To sell such an influential figure after they have just won the title for the first time in 31 years would be madness.
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Originally posted by WeasteDevil:
<strong>I dont believe a word of it. Why? Because of the part about Veron, it would be mad to sell him under the current market conditions, and to who - Lazio? FFS! <img src="graemlins/houllier.gif" border="0" alt="[Houllier]" />

SAF as we know is way too stubborn to let that one go after only one season.

Let us face facts, there will be no big signings this year.

Does that prospect scare or upset anyone?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Agree about Veron. Disagree about major signings. Fergie has said as much. He's drawn up a short list which includes 4 or 5 players who perform at the highest level.
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Originally posted by WeasteDevil:
<strong>I dont believe a word of it. Why? Because of the part about Veron, it would be mad to sell him under the current market conditions, and to who - Lazio? FFS! <img src="graemlins/houllier.gif" border="0" alt="[Houllier]" />
</strong><hr></blockquote>

The moment he is faced with 30m for Rio, SAF could reconsider his defender choices and one was Nesta.

Veron + Stam debt (gone!) for Nesta and Sorin wouldn't be too bad and would sort the back four. Although I doubt Lazio (an Italian team!!!) would let two good defenders just go like that. Can't see them being more interested in Veron and cancelling a debt.

If that actually happened he could sign Ronaldinho and Duff with total spending under 40m once you sell Yorke and Fortune.

And we would be ready to kick some ass as well.

Barthez
Gaz Blanc Nesta Sorin
Duff Beckham Keane Giggs
Ronaldinho RVN

Absolute class! <img src="graemlins/devil.gif" border="0" alt="[Devil]" />

In my dreams, I know. <img src="graemlins/houllier.gif" border="0" alt="[Houllier]" />
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Originally posted by antohan:
<strong>Barthez
Gaz Blanc Nesta Sorin
Duff Beckham Keane Giggs
Ronaldinho RVN

Absolute class! <img src="graemlins/devil.gif" border="0" alt="[Devil]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

So you're one of those who think Beckham should play in the middle then?
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I say sell Paul Scholes. <img src="graemlins/nervous.gif" border="0" alt="[Nervous]" />
 
Originally posted by WeasteDevil:
<strong>

So you're one of those who think Beckham should play in the middle then?</strong><hr></blockquote>

I'm not sure about that, I would have to see him consistently performing in central midfield AND being properly replaced on the right.

I just think we could explore that with Duff, today we just can't afford to as evidenced by how out of sorts we were when he was injured. If that mideifeld worked, would you miss Veron? (assuming you would, that is).
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Originally posted by WeasteDevil:
<strong>I say sell Paul Scholes. <img src="graemlins/nervous.gif" border="0" alt="[Nervous]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

Don't think we would get much for him. Same with Veron. If we can swap great but selling right now isn't a good option (will it ever be?). But then, it's not only about the transfer market, our performance last season and our players' during the WC (except Butt) don't help either.
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Originally posted by antohan:
<strong>

I'm not sure about that, I would have to see him consistently performing in central midfield AND being properly replaced on the right.

I just think we could explore that with Duff, today we just can't afford to as evidenced by how out of sorts we were when he was injured. If that mideifeld worked, would you miss Veron? (assuming you would, that is).</strong><hr></blockquote>

Like I said, I would like to see Scholes go, and that money spent on 4 or 5 good squad players. I think Veron should play next to Keane in midfield and leave Giggs and Beckham where they are. The problem last year was none of the players had enough time playing in one position. Veron was in the middle, then on the right, then on th left. Scholes was in the middle, then as a striker, then on the left. Giggs was on the left, on the right, in the middle, and as a striker. It's madness.

Get rid of Scholes and then we dont have this dilema anymore. Too many cooks spoil the broth, and I believe that one should go. Why Scholes? Because the entire team need to know that if they underperform, even an established big name player can be shown the door. The team has got far too stale IMO, and needs the same drastic shock measures as when Ince and Kanchelskis were show the door.

Also, Scholes IMO is the least effective of all of the established players. To his credit though, he did sometimes play very well during the World Cup. Sometimes his passing was excellent.
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Originally posted by antohan:
<strong>

Don't think we would get much for him. Same with Veron. If we can swap great but selling right now isn't a good option (will it ever be?). But then, it's not only about the transfer market, our performance last season and our players' during the WC (except Butt) don't help either.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I think 18m for Scholes at the moment is a good price for any club.

Butt we should not sell, he's far too important to the team.

Giggs and Scholes are both the two players easiest to replace. Especially Giggs, because as time goes on, he will lose the thing most important to his game - speed. Duff could play there no problem. I hate to say that BTW.

However, Giggs will not be sold by SAF - it's impossible.
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Originally posted by kemo:
<strong>Thuram is too old, to expensive and too slow. Not to mention lousy. Nesta is the likely guy we will get coz we might have to sell Veron to Lazio to finance a deal for both Roanaldinho who might cost 35m pounds <img src="graemlins/nervous.gif" border="0" alt="[Nervous]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

I'm just interested Kemo but who do you want us to get this year? Rio,Nesta,Duff,Ronaldinho,etc. Your list seems to far fetched.
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Originally posted by WeasteDevil:
<strong>

I think 18m for Scholes at the moment is a good price for any club.

Butt we should not sell, he's far too important to the team.
</strong><hr></blockquote>

I didn't suggest we sell Butt, just made an exception as the only player that would be more appreciated/valued after the WC.

18m for Scholes? Did anyone offer that? It looks low when you know what he can do and what is asked for untested youngsters. I can only see him leaving for that money if we absolutely need it + the shake up you talk about. It sounds too harsh on him to me but then, if Veron stayed, I would rather see Scholes leave and Duff coming.
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Originally posted by WeasteDevil:
<strong>

Like I said, I would like to see Scholes go, and that money spent on 4 or 5 good squad players. I think Veron should play next to Keane in midfield and leave Giggs and Beckham where they are. The problem last year was none of the players had enough time playing in one position. Veron was in the middle, then on the right, then on th left. Scholes was in the middle, then as a striker, then on the left. Giggs was on the left, on the right, in the middle, and as a striker. It's madness.

Get rid of Scholes and then we dont have this dilema anymore. Too many cooks spoil the broth, and I believe that one should go. Why Scholes? Because the entire team need to know that if they underperform, even an established big name player can be shown the door. The team has got far too stale IMO, and needs the same drastic shock measures as when Ince and Kanchelskis were show the door.

Also, Scholes IMO is the least effective of all of the established players. To his credit though, he did sometimes play very well during the World Cup. Sometimes his passing was excellent.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I can't believe i'm hearing u say Scholes. If anyone should be transfered for underperforming it should be Veron. Should Scholes go because he's hindering Veron's development? :rolleyes:
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Originally posted by WeasteDevil:
[QB]

I think 18m for Scholes at the moment is a good price for any club.

I hope your kidding 18m! Maybe for Veron atm but not Scholes.
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Originally posted by Sinders:
<strong>

I can't believe i'm hearing u say Scholes. If anyone should be transfered for underperforming it should be Veron. Should Scholes go because he's hindering Veron's development? :rolleyes: </strong><hr></blockquote>

No, but what did he give us last year? More than Veron?

As I said, too many cooks spoil the broth, so one has to go, and IMO it should be one that has played for us for a long time.

It's the same with SAF, WTF is he still doing as manager? It's the same old thing, we need new blood. Name me one Manager that has been at a single club for 16 years, go on!
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Originally posted by Sinders:
<strong>
Originally posted by WeasteDevil:
[QB]

I think 18m for Scholes at the moment is a good price for any club.

I hope your kidding 18m! Maybe for Veron atm but not Scholes.</strong><hr></blockquote>

In your opinion maybe, but the market is taking a serious downturn.
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Originally posted by WeasteDevil:
<strong>

No, but what did he give us last year? More than Veron?

As I said, too many cooks spoil the broth, so one has to go, and IMO it should be one that has played for us for a long time.

It's the same with SAF, WTF is he still doing as manager? It's the same old thing, we need new blood. Name me one Manager that has been at a single club for 16 years, go on!</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yeah he did more than Veron last year. Scholes form last year was attributed to Veron's place in the team. At least you're not like Kemo who wants Ronaldinho who would overcrowd the midfield even more. Personally, i think Ronaldinho would settle in the Premiership just like Veron, not very well.
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Originally posted by Sinders:
<strong>

Yeah he did more than Veron last year. Scholes form last year was attributed to Veron's place in the team. At least you're not like Kemo who wants Ronaldinho who would overcrowd the midfield even more. Personally, i think Ronaldinho would settle in the Premiership just like Veron, not very well.</strong><hr></blockquote>

We're not after the European Cup then?
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Originally posted by WeasteDevil:
<strong>

We're not after the European Cup then?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Of course we're after the European Cup but we need to spend on areas which need improvement such as the defense instead of blowing 30m on a player whose position is already taken care of imo.
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Originally posted by Sinders:
<strong>

Of course we're after the European Cup but we need to spend on areas which need improvement such as the defense instead of blowing 30m on a player whose position is already taken care of imo.</strong><hr></blockquote>

So, if we sold Scholes, we would have the money to buy, whould we not?

And you should know my opinion on the defence - Brown and O'Shea should play in the centre, and we should buy a really good fullback who can play on both the left and the right, just like Irwin could.

We don't need any more big signings, but we do need to get rid of some dead wood in the midfield.
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Originally posted by Sinders:
<strong>

Yeah he did more than Veron last year. Scholes form last year was attributed to Veron's place in the team. At least you're not like Kemo who wants Ronaldinho who would overcrowd the midfield even more. Personally, i think Ronaldinho would settle in the Premiership just like Veron, not very well.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I have to be with Kemo on Ronaldinho, he can excel as forward, do the hole or play on the wings.

Neither Veron nor Scholes would perform to a similar level as forwards or even on the wings.
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Originally posted by WeasteDevil:
<strong>

So, if we sold Scholes, we would have the money to buy, whould we not?

And you should know my opinion on the defence - Brown and O'Shea should play in the centre, and we should buy a really good fullback who can play on both the left and the right, just like Irwin could.

We don't need any more big signings, but we do need to get rid of some dead wood in the midfield.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I agree with you to some degree, but let's get rid of Veron instead of Scholes.
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Originally posted by antohan:
<strong>Neither Veron nor Scholes would perform to a similar level as forwards or even on the wings.</strong><hr></blockquote>

They should never play in such positions IMO.
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I agree with your defensive pairing Devil with Brown and O'Shea maybe not this season but certainly down the road. I take it you're also a bit hesistant about Blanc's age and pace against pacey players such as Owen.
 
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