Just as one began to sense a feeling that the frenetic activity in the transfer rumors season had started to ease off, more stories began popping up linking Manchester United to more players. The official club site is keeping tabs on all the gossip with the running total currently standing at 42 players coming in for an estimated £877m and 9 going elsewhere for an estimated £170m. A calculator is obviously not required to come up with a round figure of a mammoth net £600m being outlaid. An absolutely ridiculous amount.
The name of 20 year old Brazilian sensation Paulo Henrique, also known as Ganso has come up again with both United and City supposedly locked in a battle for his signature. First option for the Santos star apparently belongs to The Blues because of an agreement the clubs made as part of the loan deal that saw Robinho return to Brazil.
United are now said to be prepared to move for Ganso however if City do not take up their option which is reported to expire on August 4. Sir Alex Ferguson is poised to move for the attacking midfielder if manager Roberto Mancini fails to complete a deal. Nicknamed ‘the goose’ in South America, Ganso recently agreed a new deal with Santos which will keep him there until 2014.
As reported here two weeks ago, a further complication exists for Maldini with the player recently stating “I don’t want to play for Manchester City, I’d prefer to play for a big club” which indicates that unless City makes Ganso an offer that will tempt him to change his mind, there seems little chance of him ending up at Eastlands.
In addition to that, Robinho wants to remain in Brazil which may see the loan agreement expire. He feels that he was not treated fairly during his two years with City complaining that “Football in England is about strength, it’s difficult for a Brazilian player to adapt to that.” Contrary to that however, United has enjoyed quite a bit of success taking young Brazilians to Old Trafford where Ganso will have the company of the Da Silva twins should he decide to make the move there.
Another big name for which a four way tussle between United, City, Arsenal and Chelsea is being reported is that of Barcelona’s Ivory Coast international Yaya Toure. Chelsea are believed to have made a £17million offer last week but Sir Alex Ferguson is prepared to match that bid for the 27 year old even though Barcelona has a £20m valuation on the midfield strongman.
And there’s more! Denmark’s 18 year old wonderkid Christian Eriksen is being closely monitored with United expected to contact Dutch club Ajax for his services while Sir Alex is also being tipped to enquire about Barcelona’s Bojan Krkic, a 19 year old striker who may have limited opportunities at Camp Nou because of David Villa’s arrival.
So there you have it…for now. Which one, if any, of these players ever end up going to Old Trafford is anybody’s guess but you can rest assured that many more names will be raised in the next couple of months. The kick off to the new season seems as far away as ever.
Do you expect ANY of the above players to end up at Old Trafford?
