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The Tuesday Troll : Man Utd settle on Neuer?

Published by Ian John on November 3, 2009

Well, the transfer gossip pages have seldom been busier, which is something of an oddity given that the window is closed at the moment, but as we all know, speculation feeds hope and hope sells papers. Such as the hope that Manchester United are going to be signing German international keeper Manuel Neuer. This isn’t a new story, it was mooted several months ago, but after linking United with almost every half-decent keeper in the world, as well as David James, it seems we are now back to suggesting United will persuade Neuer to turn his nose up at Bayern Munich and come to Old Trafford.

This is good news for United as in a week where they were supposedly set to be buying David Silva and David Villa for £53m, it’s now being reported that United won’t make any move for Silva and that Chelsea are now leading the way and ready to make a £33m offer for Villa, when uncle Sepp allows them to buy players once again. United apparently are baulking at that price and the fact that David Villa will not have any “resale value”, which makes me wonder if United’s owners have got him confused with Ricky Villa. I’m wondering if they’ve pulled out of a deal for Silva because they don’t want to sign the lone ranger’s horse.

Not to be outdone in the Valencia firesale, Liverpool have been linked with Juan Manuel Mata. The talented Spanish international could be available for around £15m and we are sure that he is going to be delighted to join a club out of Europe, the title race and struggling to even qualify for the Champions League next season.

Carson Yeung’s takeover at Birmingham has seen Alex McLeish linked with several new signings. However the news today that Birmingham want former Milan and Chelsea star Andriy Shevchenko at St.Andrews takes some beating as eye-opener of the week. The striker, now with Dynamo Kiev, would probably cost a fortune in wages and it is hard to see how, if he struggled at Chelsea, he will suddenly become a star in the Midlands. My personal belief Carson wants a “Robinho” signing to announce Birmingham’s intent to be a big club. My advice would be to invest in players to keep them up and build slowly. Otherwise you’ll end up with an over-age, over-paid Championship level squad. Just ask Newcastle at their new home the “Why Aye Man! Mike Ashley’s divna nah what he’s doin, stadium”

Sunderland look to have clinched a cut price £3m deal for Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson according to reports from the North East. Johnson is a very talented player and he will prove to be a very good signing for Sunderland should they get him and £3m is peanuts for a player of his age and talent. Let’s not forget, not so long ago, Real Madrid were sniffing around a £12m deal.

Manchester City want Dan Dare. No sorry, I mean Maicon and if they can’t get him then apparently they are lining up a move for Osasuna star right back Cesar Azpilicueta, who’s interesting a host of clubs across Europe. They are also reportedly keeping tabs on Thierry Henry’s situation at Barcelona, especially since the Frenchman was reportedly none-too-happy at being left on the bench for Barcelona’s game at the weekend.

Tottenham are being linked with a move for Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand, should Sir Alex decide to sell. The United boss also has expressed support for Ferdinand this week stating that he will soon come through his slump in form and be the same player he was.

Until next Tuesday, keep your ears to the ground and your head in the stars.

Image Courtesy of ***Iqrash Arwan*** on Flickr.com

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