UNITED and City could be set to lock horns in a January transfer window fight for Nicolas Anelka.
Both the Reds and Blues are keen to strengthen their attacking departments after the New Year and the Bolton striker has the CV to interest the Wanderers' Manchester neighbours.
Sven-Goran Eriksson is eager to bolster his goalscoring strength in mid-season.
City bought Anelka for a club record £12m in 2002 from Paris St Germain, following a loan spell at Liverpool, when Kevin Keegan was the Blues' boss, but sold him to Turkish club Fenerbahce in January 2005.
However, Eriksson is understood to be an admirer and considered a swoop last summer before buying Rolando Bianchi from Reggina for £9m instead.
Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted before the champions played Bolton on Saturday that he had pursued the controversial French striker on numerous occasions.
At the Reebok, Anelka demonstrated why he is likely to feature again on a wish-list for January after scoring in the 1-0 victory that ended United's 10-match unbeaten Premier League run.
"We have thought about signing him several times because he is a very talented player," said Ferguson of the former Arsenal and Real Madrid front man.
"You always assess players with pace and the ability to score, and he comes into that category."
Ferguson added that the 28-year-old nomad now appears to have found his spiritual home at Bolton, but the United manager hasn't been able to reform his four-strong senior strike force.
Would you like to see Anelka back at City? Have your say.
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Jeannie (26/11/2007 at 09:07)
Elano's best goal ever (26/11/2007 at 09:07)
Fact: He scores lots of goals
Fact: He leads the line perfectly
Fact: He was OK at our place until KK wanted to take him canoeing in mid November. (I wouldn't go in mid August!)
Why would you take SWP back, who clearly turned his back on us, but you wouldn't take Anelka.
It's less than a no brainer. If we can get him and he'll come that should be the end of it.
What if the good Doctor or Sven had looked at our club and thought not enough, where would we be? Quite simply we now match his ambition and if he can help us get over a raised bar then he should be signed.
Let bygones be exactly that. Anelka. Yes please.
Blue Arab (26/11/2007 at 09:10)
It seems like a deal is already been done for Anelka's move to our bitter rivals.
It seems that Drogba is being left out of Chelsea to free room for Shivo, cant we move in for him.
Other potentials: Eto, Martin, Barabtov, and we could dream of Kaka.
Harry Skinters (26/11/2007 at 09:11)
luke.Lincoln (26/11/2007 at 09:18)
1finga in wythenshawe (26/11/2007 at 09:27)
Alec G Moonshiner, Kendal (26/11/2007 at 09:28)
The Iceman Cometh, Manchester (26/11/2007 at 09:28)
andyn, down underz (26/11/2007 at 09:31)
hes a great striker no doubt, but Sven will need to sit him down and explain what it means to be in a city outfit these days.. obviously bianchi has said something or done something and sven has left him on the bench.. anelka could find himself in the same situation if he upsets anyone like he did last time he was in the squard..
another thing.. get work on him not being caught offside, he was the most offside person in the league a few years ago with city, and with a player of his pace there is no need to be close to offside.
Blue Lou, Helensburgh (26/11/2007 at 09:32)
As much as I enjoyed watching Nicolas play for City, Anelka has had his time at City and he wanted to leave.
He would disrupt the dressing room spirit - Anelka plays for himself and not the team.
My message to Sven is to sign someone young and hungry. Anelka is yesterday's man.
blue4life, manchester (26/11/2007 at 09:34)
TheGrimReaper, Sale (26/11/2007 at 09:40)
ganndalf (26/11/2007 at 09:51)
I did read that he doesn't go out drinking with the boys as he's a Muslim. Apparently he likes to chill at home with his wife and kids (terrible!!). If this is all that has led to his "standoffish" reputation then it is unfair.
So, to sum up, if his reputation is true, avoid him like the plague. If not....and if Sven fancies him,,,get him in. One thing that can't be argued about is his class as a player.
black and blue, whalley range (26/11/2007 at 09:53)
Eric, Dutch, 32 years and still here (26/11/2007 at 09:53)
Steve - Chorley (26/11/2007 at 10:00)
http://www.41andistillhatejadegoody.co.uk, Heaton Misery (26/11/2007 at 10:21)
Did anyone take me up on my Petrov first goalscorer tip for Saturday ? I did and it bagged me a magnificent 45 brick.
The 63 point mark is closing fast, only 34 to go now.
Place your bets now please.
Blue Arab (26/11/2007 at 10:26)
it was clay pegion shooting in Feb. get your facts rights. ; )
Sunny, Maastricht- Ex-Whalley Range (26/11/2007 at 10:36)
His age, experience and CV would make him one of the elder statesmen in the first team, but his moods could infect the place. His ego and his brothers' constant meddling. Perhaps some of our (very young) stars may be in in awe of him. And if he is a bad influence off the pitch it can only be bad for the fantastic team spirit being moulded at City these days. I'm merely erring to the side of caution.
And BTW, Kaka is said (in an on-line interview last week in "A Folha de Sao Paolo") to be disgusted with the violence levels that have swept across the Italian game over the last couple of seasons.
He is a very, very religious lad and rarely has a bad word to say about anyone or anything. (unless thanking God for making him a footballer whenever he's interviewed gets on your nerves.) Go on Sven, make a cheeky bid.
Regarding Italy as a whole. I've heard rumours from friends in Brazil that a lot of Brasileiros out there (in Italy) would consider less wages to go and play in Spain or Portugal. They thought they'd left the gun culture behind when they got their flights to Europe and some are shocked and appalled by what's happening on the Italian terraces. Their must be a player of the Anelka mould that we could lure to the Happy Place that is COMS this season!
Having said that Sven will probably produce one or two that we don't know much - or anything - about. Bresciano seems like a done deal, given his own recent comments.
Shaun, At My Desk (26/11/2007 at 10:39)
Robbie(henceforth known as "Bunter")Fowler but the rot had set in long before and it was no surprise when he left and was never replaced.Sven not being an idiot is clearly on the case
and in six weeks time I look forward to him unveiling
1/2 strikers to consolidate a top six finish.CTID
Top Cat, Kettering (26/11/2007 at 10:39)
If we move for a player that will stay with us and be number 1 striker for years to come, the young players will probably move on. We need someone in the relatively short term to allow the young players to develope. Anelka to my mind fits the bill.
When you look at him celebrating now with his Bolton team mates - he looks to be causing no problems there and that is a team struggling probably more than City were - so maybe he has "grown up". Also, agree with other posts - no one has same reservations about SWP and yet he left us for a pot of gold - JUDAS!!
Jack Thorley, Trafford (26/11/2007 at 10:47)
Went to Wembley in '56, USA (26/11/2007 at 10:47)
Arj, Boro (26/11/2007 at 10:53)
The Right to Reply (26/11/2007 at 10:58)