Chances that central defender Nemanja Vidic has played his last game for Manchester United appear to be increasing by the day as Sir Alex Ferguson accelerates his efforts to sign a replacement. The two front runners are Juventus’ Italian international Giorgio Chiellini and Denmark’s Simon Kjaer from Palermo. As well as an expected £20m bid from Manchester City for Vidic, Real Madrid also want to secure a deal by offering French striker Karim Benzema as a sweetener for a Vidic transfer.

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson pulled off one of the shock transfer deals of the season in July last year when he convinced 30 year old former England international Michael Owen to sign for him on a free transfer. The canny Scot  is now reported to be poised for an encore by offering Chelsea play maker Joe Cole a contract to continue his career at Old Trafford.

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To think that this madness will continue until August, it’s enough to do your head in! Who’s being chased by who, who’s staying, who’s definitely going, transfer fees resembling telephone numbers thrown around like confetti even though most football fans will have difficulty comprehending their enormity. Then of course there are the huge wages offered to tempt players some of whom are barely out of their teens. Little wonder that it’s known as the silly season.

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