So here we go again, Real Madrid cannot seem to get enough players away from Old Trafford. Just in the last few years alone Real has head hunted David Beckham in 2003, Ruud van Nistelrooy (2006), Gabriel Heinze (2007) and of course Cristiano Ronaldo last year. It was then made clear recently that super striker Wayne Rooney is their number one target for next season, shown plenty of interest in central defender Nemanja Vidic and now it’s being reported that the Madrid giants are preparing to spark another transfer battle with Manchester United by launching a £20million move for French international Patrice Evra.
Real are determined to land a left back this summer after identifying former Liverpool player Alvaro Arbeloa as the weak link in a defence that has conceded 50 per cent more goals than Barcelona in 34 La Liga games this season. The Spanish international has been a regular starter for Madrid with former left back Marcelo playing further up the field because of concerns over Arbeloa’s defensive abilities.
Bernabeu director general Jorge Valdano has identified a number of candidates – including Arsenal’s Gael Clichy, Chelsea’s Ashley Cole and Fiorentina’s Juan Manuel Vargas but Evra is believed to have jumped to the top of the list on the recommendation of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson reluctantly allowed Ronaldo to leave United for Real Madrid in a world record £80m deal last summer but he will not want to lose another of his star players. Reports from France however claim that Evra could be tempted by a new challenge after winning about as much as he could have dreamed of since leaving Monaco four and a half years ago.
The 28 year old is under contract until 2013 having enjoyed much success including winning three Premier League triumphs, three Carling Cups and Champions League success in 2008. Evra and Ronaldo are close friends with the full back recently defending his former team mate against detractors who accused the Portuguese star of arrogance.
Evra has recently played down suggestions that he is tired after playing more matches for Manchester United this season than any other player. They have included every game in the Premier League and European matches missing only the FA Cup defeat by Leeds United.
Since going to England from Monaco for £5m in January 2006, Evra has won the league in every one of his three seasons at Old Trafford and would love to do so again this year. The full back said he believed his team could collect all the six points that are still available but even then United would still need Chelsea to slip up in one of their two remaining matches in order to win the title.
Sir Alex must be getting sick and tired of fending off approaches from Real Madrid for his players. He would hate to lose any one of the Rooney, Vidic and Evra trio but with each of them playing for their country in the World Cup, Ferguson is more than likely to be inundated with offers from a large number of clubs and their highly persistent player agents.
Should Ferguson consider accepting Real’s £20million offer for Evra?
I think Real Madrid are actually more interested in Kolarov and Cole, and it looks as though a deal for Kolarov is already done according to many reports. Evra is a top player, and its hard to find good left backs in the game, its one of the hardest positions to fill really. Evra is class and should stay at Manchester United, he’s been great for them and will continue to do so for awhile I think.
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