Reds linked with trio

May 13, 2008

Daniel Alves with the UEFA Cup in Manchester

UNITED are being linked with a trio of players as Sir Alex Ferguson prepares to start his summer transfer business.

Sevilla’s Brazilian duo Luis Fabiano and Daniel Alves are on the Reds’ radar, with a £30m offer on the cards.

And Fergie is favourite to beat Chelsea and Arsenal to Cardiff’s Welsh wonderkid Aaron Ramsey.

United’s chief scout Martin Ferguson has watched Fabiano, a 27-year-old striker, and Alves, a potential replacement for Gary Neville, numerous times this season.

Both are Brazil regulars with Alves, 25, regarded as the best attacking right-back in the world.

He was a target for Chelsea last summer who this week swooped for Jose Bosingwa.

United are said to have already opened talks to land Ramsey from the FA Cup finalists.

The midfielder, rated at £5m, is one for the future but has already caught the attention of the Reds’ main Premier League rivals.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s Mikel Jon Obi insists his side have set their sights on gaining revenge for their Premier League failure in Moscow’s Champions League Final.

“There is a sense of frustration but determination among everyone,” said Mikel.

“At the end of the day, we wouldn’t have won the title anyway. We wanted to win and we knew that three points was our only chance of beating Manchester United, but it wasn’t to be.

“We were saying to each other afterwards that we would put things right in Moscow. We will keep working hard until the final and make sure we win the Champions League.

“Last year, they won the league and we beat them in the FA Cup final. They have won the league again but we know that we’re good enough to beat them.

“They’re a very good side, we all know that, but we have to focus on the day. I think we’re going to win it.”

Who would you like to see United go for? Have your say.

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Michio, County Louth (13/05/2008 at 10:23)

£30 million seems a bit excessive. Fabiano is available for £10 million I believe so that means we would be expected to pay £20 million for a right back. Evra cost 5mill and Chelsea have just paid 20 mill euros (about £16 million) for Bosingwa in a deal reckoned to be poor value. Are we really going to do that? Neville's back, Brown, Pique and Simpson can all play right back as can Hargreaves and we have the Silva twins too. I'm just not convinced by this one. Then again, you never really know do you?

Robbo, N2409 (13/05/2008 at 10:36)

I'd say Fabiano's a real possibility - he'd be nice and cheap, which is extremely Glazer-friendly. Alves? Absolutely no chance.

THAT BOY RONALDO, Manchester (13/05/2008 at 10:50)

Benzema is the player on the way to United. However, SAF will probably sign another striker and a right back too. So Fabiano and Alves are possible targets. Both very good players. Ramsey is an excellent prospect, and we should definitely get him. However, I think mr Gill's first job is to tie Evra down to a new contract. Next season should be even better. Imagine a team of VDS, Alves, Ferdinand, Vidich, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Anderson, Benzema, Tevez and Rooney. Hargreaves, Nani, Fabiano, Ramsey and Foster on the bench. Now, that would be a squad. :)

Steve, Glossop (13/05/2008 at 10:54)

Reassuring to know Martin's on the case I'm sure his research on these hidden gems is extensive. Head hunt Arsenal's Chief Scout I say maybe even Wigans!

insvenwetrust, Batok (13/05/2008 at 11:01)

buying next seaon trophy .. i rather win nothing every season...

insvenwerust!!!

Red Seven (13/05/2008 at 11:10)

John Obi - put a sock in it, you had your chance to join a top team but like many of his colleagues he chose cash over success on th epitch.

Hoping we complete the double by lifting the European Cup on Wednesday next in Moscow - papers all over us on the Thursday & Friday, then like last season we call a press conference, unviel what ever players we are going to sign so to get it done and dusted early and out of the way. No media speculation up until the end of August about will we won't we.

bobbydazzler (13/05/2008 at 11:18)

insven we trust havent you just spent 40m on a load of dross?

are'nt we constantly being told that frankie boys billions are about to blow us out of the water

bobbydazzler (13/05/2008 at 11:21)

interesting to hear from our resident sage he has been telling us for a good few months that we can be expecting full back replacements from portugal and spain. if he didnt mean boswinga perhaps he could enlighten us on who else may be on the radar.

Duncan, London (13/05/2008 at 11:59)

Lets win this European cup and let Mikel's abiding frustration be with himself for going to Chelsea and not staying put.

Duncan, London (13/05/2008 at 12:03)

insvenwetrust - you are hilarious. Last season Thaksin was going to buy you success and we were in hock up to our eyeballs. Nothing has changed so why you are coming on here coming up with the same tired assertion that we "bought" the premiership defeats me utterly. By the way you supporting Benfica next season?

Gillian England (13/05/2008 at 12:11)

preferred bosingwa but !! hey there are other like philip lahm at bayern
alves is good but not the best in my opinion , fabiano is big and strong and he moves well !! dont know ! huntelaar is not that bad ! again i dont know !
not much help am i lol
what about mexes and pander ??

Michio, County Louth (13/05/2008 at 12:13)

Re: "buying next seaon trophy .. i rather win nothing every season...

insvenwerust!!!
insvenwetrust, Batok"

Well that's a fortunate attitude to have.

Justin The Great, manchester (13/05/2008 at 12:18)

I CANT REALLY SEE US SPENDING HUGELEY THIS SEASON, IF WE DO THEN IM JUST PUZZLED AS TO WHERE THE CASH IS COMING FROM

WE DONT REALLY NEED A LEFT BACK THINK ABOUT IT GUYS WE HAVE JUST BROKEN THE GOALS AGAINST RECORD AND ITS NOT EXACTLY LIKE WE NEED THE ATTACKING FLAIR THAT WES LACKS.

WE HAVE THE TWO BRAZILLIANS WHO I CAN GAURANTEE WILL MAKE IT BIG WITHIN THE NEXT 2 TO 3 YEARS.

WE ONLY REALLY NEED 1 STRIKER AS WE HAVE WELBECK ON THE BRINK OF FIRST TEAM ACTION.

DONT GET ME WRONG WITH THE MILLIONS WE MAKE FROM WINNING THE PREM AND CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLUS THE TV DEAL WE MAY HAVE ENOUGH TO BUY PEOPLE BUT IN MY HONEST OPINION WE HAVE A FANTASTIC TEAM RIGHT NOW AND WE SHOULDNT CHANGE MUCH

spiky, France (13/05/2008 at 12:31)

Would love to have some update on the Silva twins.. been two years since i heard they are coming to united!!

Victoria Smith (13/05/2008 at 12:52)

The Silva twins will join officially in the summer they couldnt join till they are 18 and only one of them is meant to be really good the other one isnt as good but they wanted to stay together they have not played any football for over 12 months cause united didnt want them to get injured playing in brazil and should start reserve football from nxt season

tooth&claw, manchester (13/05/2008 at 13:10)

bobbydazzler, we certainly looked at Bosingwa but 16m is an awful lot of money for a guy without a great pedigree. I read that he's been offered 80K a week contract, which is outrageous. Good player though.

Red Dawn (13/05/2008 at 13:34)

We were interested in Fabiano whilst he was still at Sao Paulo, but decided against a move at the time. Long time readers of the MEN site will remember articles reflecting that.

Personally, I don't think he is the right choice for Man Utd, for various reasons, but the club are intent on cracking the South American market from a business point of view, hence us being interested in so many South Americans, which began last year with Anderson and Tevez.

Regarding Alves, sure he is a top quality right back, but Seville will demand a huge fee. Chelsea bid over £20 million for him last summer, and that still wasn't enough. I think alot may depend on the last game of the La Liga season, where 4th spot is between Athletico Madrid and Seville. It looks at though Madrid will secure it, which if were the case, Seville may be forced to sell, hence putting United in a better bargaining position.

Rafael and Fabio are already in Manchester, but couldn't train with United until the summer. They will play reserve football next year, with their progress analyised thereafter.

People expecting to see them in the first team on a regular basis will have to wait a few years I think. It's possible they may make an appearance in the Carling Cup, but there are going to need time.

Another bit of news I have is that United want to sign Mancini from Roma, who could be available for a cut price due to his contract situation. Liverpool are also interested.

Personally, I think he's overrated though.

COLIN,, Canada (13/05/2008 at 13:42)

Did you guys know that "insvenwetrust" is Swedish for "I'll take the blond one".

Christer, Norway (13/05/2008 at 13:45)

Looking at our current squad, I'd say we're about flawless. With Wes signing his contract, there's no rush to aquire a new right back. Neville is coming back, giving Danny Simpson more time to mature, while Wes can deputize, as solid as ever. Don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE to have Dani Alves at United; -he's absolutely world class.
(And still, we have the Silva-brothers coming through...)

As for strikers, everyone can see that we would benefit from a big, strong and experienced goalscorer. We've got two kegs of dynamite in Rooney and Tevez, but we still need the option to provide an aerial threat. I don't think Fabiano fits the bill perfectly, although he's a proven natural goalscorer. I'd prefer someone like Benzema. This is where price comes into play..; with Fabiano available to a fraction of the cost. Also, considering the talent we have coming in; Manucho (strong, athletic lad) and Welbeck.. lot's of descisions to be made here. (And what about Saha?)

1. Nail down Evra's contract.
2. Sign the correct striker.
3. Sign either Alves, Richards or Lahm for good measure... :)

I love silly season.

jazza13, Auckland, New Zealand (13/05/2008 at 14:00)

I'd personally see Lahm in United over anyone else. He is my favourite right back of all time.

AS, Ipswich (13/05/2008 at 14:33)

Christer, i am with you regarding the priority order
1-Evra,2-Striker and 3-Fullback. The last one is not really important as we can go another season with Neville/Brown/OH/Sylvestre/Evra as fullback.We definitely need to sort out the first 2.

bobbydazzler (13/05/2008 at 14:47)

thanks for that T&c and your additional comments that 16m is an awful lot of money for a player without a real pedigree.

carrick 17m
andersen 17m
nani 17m

explain to me the difference?

Pat (13/05/2008 at 15:43)

bobbyd, Bosingwa is a fullback. 16 million is crazy.

JonyB-), North Staffs (13/05/2008 at 15:46)

If we could get Alves - he certainly is better than Bosingwo. Also he has played a lot of this season on the right side of midfield - its that flexability that SAF likes - especially while Gary Nev may still be able to cover.

Fabiano has taken the spanish league by storm this season and is defo a goal scorer - but always going to be a ridk wether he'll adapt - but with playerslike Anderson, Nani, CR7 and calitos wouldbe much easier than previous seasons.

Whoever we go after would like it to be done and dusted quickly like last season (other than Carlitos!) since i felt that really set out our stall right from tghe start!!

bobbydazzler (13/05/2008 at 16:12)

pat 6 years ago we paid 29m for a centre half and its some of the best buisness sagf has ever done.

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