UNITED are ready to go head to head with Real Madrid over Antonio Valencia.
Both clubs are trying to sign the highly-rated Wigan winger, and are understood to have made bids in excess of £16m.
Sir Alex Ferguson has long been an admirer of the Ecuador international and always had him towards the top of his summer shopping list.
Real are also confirmed fans of Valencia, trying to lure him in January, only for the 23-year-old to decide to stay at Wigan until the end of the season.
But his agent, Diego Herrera, revealed the player is now ready to make the next step.
"I'm yet to speak with Wigan, but for sure this news is great as it's the right time for Antonio to join a bigger club," he said.
Sunderland have also been linked with Valencia, with his former boss, Steve Bruce, now at the Stadium of Light.
Interest
The interest from both United and Real raises intriguing questions about the future of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been at the centre of a tug of war between the sides for over 12 months.
Valencia was seen as a natural replacement for the World and European Player of the Year, should United decide to cash in this summer.
But Ferguson insists Ronaldo is not for sale at any price, which explains Real's decision to turn their attention to Valencia.
Franck Ribery is another right winger to be linked with both clubs, while Chelsea are also interested in the French international.
But Bayern Munich insist they will not listen to offers for their star asset, which will only see Valencia's stock rise.
Valencia signed for Wigan on loan from Villarreal in 2006 before Steve Bruce made the move a permanent one in 2008 for an undisclosed fee.
He has constantly been linked with moves to bigger clubs after impressing in the Premier League, but has so far resisted the temptation to leave the JJB.
But he looks certain to move on this summer, with former manager Bruce admitting Wigan are powerless to keep him.
"You produce a good side and the big boys keep coming and nicking them and it becomes even harder," he said last season. "If somebody else wants to buy the next one - I keep reading about Valencia - it is inevitable, but we know that."
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ibblyobbly, nottingham (07/06/2009 at 13:17)
at least we are trying to get a replacement in first and puts us in stronger bargaining position.
manu expert (07/06/2009 at 13:31)
first, we buy owen hargrieves for 20m when he just came back from a serious knee injury? no wonder bayern could'nt wait to sell him to us. then bayern use that money to buy ribery for 17m!
i could see ribery was a great player at the french club so why couldnt the united scouts?
second, we pay 17m for nani who will not even make it in the p league let alone united!
third, we pay 19m for an attacking midfielder in anderson who has not scored in two season's!
and finally the mother of all blunders, we pay 32m for a guy who wants to play football with out running or trying? yes, he's berbaflop.
and now we are paying nearly 20m for another average player in valencia? why?
this guy is average at most, all he has is bit of pace and nothing else.
and about the interest of madrid for him? don't make me laugh. dont think he, perez even knows who valencia is!
its just wigan trying to get more money out of fergie and his scouting idiots.
Of Mancs and MEN, Hound Green (07/06/2009 at 13:35)
pocket (07/06/2009 at 13:39)
seasider, blackpool (07/06/2009 at 13:47)
Quite right too.
davmac, manchester (07/06/2009 at 14:16)
You can't be that much of an expert or you would know United's top scout is Martin Ferguson. Does the name ring a bell?
jefouille, Belgium (07/06/2009 at 14:19)
I totally agree with you. We use to pay too much for players, and we experienced to many failures in recent years.
Wenger got Arshavin (top player during last Euro) for the same amount than Nani (has proved nothing 'till now)
When you compare with other big guns in Europe, we seem below par (Eto'o showed us what a world-class striker can bring to his club)
jefouille, Belgium (07/06/2009 at 14:26)
I totally agree. We always pay too much, and are bad sellers (Pique, Rossi, Forlan).
Look at Wenger. For the same amount than Nani, he bought Arshavin who is a confirmed top-class player.
dog hardy, manchester (07/06/2009 at 15:01)
ibblyobbly, nottingham (07/06/2009 at 16:22)
Red For Life, Malta (07/06/2009 at 16:51)
Red Dawn (07/06/2009 at 17:16)
Clearly it's the players versatility that appeals to Ferguson, as he can play both fullback positions, both wings and central midfield, the latter of which may primarily be his position for United as he could be moulded into an Essien type player.
There is no way Wigan will refuse the offers on the table, so it's up to the player now to decide where he wants to go.
One thing is for sure is that he most certainly isn't a replacement for Ronaldo if anyone was thinking that.
If we do sign Valencia, I think that could be our summer spending over, provided ofcourse Tevez agrees to stay, as £25.5 million and £16 million is quite an outlay.
If Tevez decides to move on (which I believe his advisors will recommend as they'll make more money from it), then we'll probably sign another forward, and if Ronaldo leaves, then who knows what will happen.
manu expert (07/06/2009 at 17:21)
Happy Valley Barry, San Francisco, California (07/06/2009 at 17:51)
after Palacio the defensive midfielder that went to Spurs from Wigan.
He wins the ball well and breaks down attacks at the right moment keep the ball away from our 18 yard box. We need a strong defensive midfielder like him.
Up the Redds
dog hardy, manchester (07/06/2009 at 18:43)
Karl Pilkington, M'm not sure. (07/06/2009 at 20:32)
D.S, Stockport (08/06/2009 at 04:15)
edinburgh red, edinburgh (08/06/2009 at 08:54)
Mushhhty (08/06/2009 at 09:19)
DO NOT GIVE FERGIE ANY MORE MONEY TO BURN! His signings have been terrible! Honestly at a club as big as Man U there should be some accountability?? Valencia??? Why? When Chelsea, Barcelona, Madrid are going for the best talent on the planet!!!
Mushhhty (08/06/2009 at 09:20)
Gilly, Belgium (08/06/2009 at 09:29)
AS, Ipswich (08/06/2009 at 09:35)
edinburgh red, edinburgh (08/06/2009 at 09:44)
Neil Middleton (08/06/2009 at 10:04)
He's got pace, the ability to skin a player (like he did twice this season with you lot), and he's a very hard worker who tackles and plays for the team. His only weakness at the moment is he doesn't score enough.
Look at some of your players and compare them to Valencia. Can Fletcher, Park, Nani, Scholes, and to fair now Giggs, be said to be better than him? How can you get superstars if you don't give them the chance at the big time?
As for a big fish in a little pond scenario. Look at Tevez at West ham. Doing Ok for you isn't he? What about Rooney at Everton. I think he's lived up to expectations? Ferdinand from Leeds? Van der sar from Fulham? Should I go on?
Real did bid for him in January, but he turned it down. Liverpool sniffed around, but can't afford it.
If he signs for you guys, and under the tutelage of Fergie he'll become a very good player. He's only 23 so can still learn a lot. Henry was very similar at the same time in his carer at Monaco.
bobbydazzler (08/06/2009 at 10:07)