Manchester United and Inter agree on fee for Wesley Sneijder as negotiations continue on personal terms

The Premier League champions will step up negotiations with the Dutch international's representatives as they seek a compromise over a fee of 35.2 million pounds, Goal.com learned

By Sergio Chesi and Wayne Veysey
Jul 14, 2011 8:44:00 AM



Manchester United has agreed a club-record fee of 35.2 million pounds with Inter for the transfer of Wesley Sneijder, Goal.com can exclusively reveal.

But Sneijder's wage demands are currently holding up the deal from being close to completion. Sources have told Goal.com that the player's camp has indicated it wants around 200,000 pounds per week but United is reluctant to pay more than 170,000 pounds.

Nevertheless, the Premier League champions are hoping to reach a compromise over the 30,000-pounds-a-week difference as the prospect of a switch that would smash United's transfer record grows increasingly likely.

Senior officials from the two clubs are understood to have shaken hands on the terms of the deal after United chief executive David Gill made it clear Manchester United is willing to meet Inter's asking price in a series of meetings in recent days.

United has confirmed that Gill was in Zurich on Wednesday, where an Inter delegation was also present, to attend a European Club Association meeting but an Inter source told Goal.com that he had been in Milan on Tuesday and early Wednesday to lead Sneijder negotiations with another Old Trafford director.

United's focus will now turn to agreeing personal terms with the Holland international, who is regarded by the club as a natural heir to the recently retired Paul Scholes. An official bid will follow if the 19-times English champions are confident they can meet the player's demands.

It is believed that the 2011 Champions League finalists could attempt to meet the shortfall in the two parties' positions with bonus-related payments or an enhanced image rights deal

Sneijder is currently at Inter's preseason training camp at Pinzolo in Italy. The deal will now depend on his desire to force through a move to Old Trafford, which offers him an excellent chance to add to an already impressive medal haul which includes domestic titles in Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, in addition to the 2010 Champions League.

He has a contract at San Siro that expires in 2015 and would be content to see it out if a transfer fails to materialise this summer, hence his reluctance to agitate in public for a move.

New Inter manager Gian Piero Gasperini has told the Inter hierarchy that he does not see the Holland star as indispensable as he prepares to field a new 3-4-3 formation next season.

Source: Goal.com

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Sneijder agrees United deal after Glazers sanction £35m bid for Inter midfielder

Manchester United hope to complete the £35million transfer of Wesley Sneijder after agreeing terms of around £190,000 a week with the Inter Milan midfielder.

Sneijder was forced to compromise on his initial wage demands of £250,000-a-week, but an agreement has been struck and a deal is close to completion.


The Glazer family, who own United, have sanctioned the fee for the 27-year-old Holland star as a replacement for Paul Scholes, who retired at the end of last season.

Chief executive David Gill met his Inter counterparts in Zurich yesterday at a meeting of the European Club Association.

It is understood Gill made clear United's willingness to pay £35m, with an official bid expected to be lodged before the weekend. Although Inter are reluctant to sell, they accept they cannot turn down such a lucrative bid.


Gill hopes to have the deal wrapped up before he flies to the US tomorrow.

Source: Mail Online

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Man United Prepare £35m Bid For Marek Hamsik In Case Sneijder And Nasri Bids Fail

Man United are ready to make a swift bid for Napoli playmaker Marek Hamsik if they fail to complete moves to sign either Wesley Sneijder or Samir Nasri from Inter Milan or Arsenal respectively.


Hamsik has long been a target for Sir Alex Ferguson and the Slovakian international has been repeatedly linked with a move away from Napoli this summer and AC Milan have shown a great deal of interest in the 23 year old who has been a huge success in Serie A.

The former Brescia man has progressed year on year during his seven seasons in Italy and is now considered one of the best foreign players on show in the Italian top tier but the talented goal scoring attacking midfielder has stated that if an offer from a ‘big club’ was forthcoming then he, and Napoli, would consider it.

Indeed the Naples side have placed a €40m (£35.1m) valuation on Hamsik and reportedly that is a fee that AC Milan are reticent to fork out but Ferguson may well be ready to pay the price if they fail in their pursuit of the aforementioned targets.

The Old Trafford boss sees the capture of a goal scoring midfield threat as the final piece of his summer signing puzzle and is ideally looking for a player that fulfill the kind of role Paul Scholes filled during his Man United pomp. Ferguson’s current central midfield options offer different attributes but the likes of Michael Carrick, Anderson, and Darren Fletcher are not hugely creative hence the Man United manager’s very public interest in Sneijder and Nasri.

Hamsik has scored 47 goals in four seasons at the Stadio San Paolo and has been an invaluable link between midfield and attack, helping Walter Mazzarri’s side clinch a Champions League spot for the coming season.

Man United have already spent over £50m to bring Phil Jones, David de Gea and Ashley Young from Blackburn Rovers, Atletico Madrid and Aston Villa respectively and Ferguson wishes to make one more ‘marquee’ signing as a further statement of intent to their Premier and Champions League rivals.

Having already sold Wes Brown and John O’Shea to Sunderland there is every chance that further Man United players on the periphery of the first team squad will be sacrificed to make room for additions and to help balance the books.

Source: Caughtoffside

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Scholes: United's new generation can be the best since class of '92

By Ian Herbert, Northern Football Correspondent
Tuesday, 12 July

Paul Scholes has suggested that last season's Manchester United Youth Cup winning side looks the most promising since the fabled group of the early 1990s and can deliver three players to the first team within a year, with Ravel Morrison the lead contender for the leap which so many 18-year-olds fail to make.

Morrison has created far more of a stir outside of football than within, with a judge in Salford last week reactivating a referral order for the teenager which he had lifted in error, and Scholes' belief that Sir Alex Ferguson might take the teenager in the United party which departed on tour to the United States yesterday has not come to pass.

But Scholes, who will begin a United coaching role in September and predicted last July that Javier Hernandez would immediately score heavily for the club, revealed that Morrison has already started training with the first team and is surprised by the physical strength which he allies to his talent. "We've trained with Ravel and we know what talent he has got – hopefully," the 36-year-old said.

Scholes believes the tenacious Ryan Tunnicliffe, a player in his own mould who has been sent on loan to Darren Ferguson's Peterborough, and the young French midfielder Paul Pogba might also make the first team in the next two years. He sees United's tenth FA Youth Cup final win, over Sheffield United earlier this summer, as potentially the most significant since the 1992 win over Crystal Palace which delivered a generation that underpinned the club's domestic dominance.

United have won the FA Youth Cup only once since the Neville/Butt/Beckham generation clinched it in 1992 and 1995 and none of the 2003 side, who triumphed over Middlesbrough, made it at the club. "We have struggled a bit in the Youth Cup [since 1992] haven't we? But this group look like they're ready to go into a first team now because they are big, strong, powerful lads and they have got the skill to go with it. They like to work hard as well, which they are going to need. I thought they were brilliant and they looked like men already. They didn't really look like kids because they are built so well. They are strong physically and have got the talent to go with it."

Morrison's latest court appearance last week revealed more signs that his behaviour might finally be coming under control. He was before District Judge Jonathan Finestein, whose earlier decision effectively to remove a 12-month referral order in Morrison's case was challenged by the family of a youth whom earlier in the year he was convicted of intimidating.

The judge's decision to reinstate the referral order meant that he had to lift a £600 fine imposed on Morrison for criminal damage, arising from a row between the player and his girlfriend. But Morrison declined to accept the money and instead asked for it to be donated to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

The judge said he had been handed a "glowing" report from the youth offending team explaining that the footballer was making progress with "anger management" and "maturity" problems. The judge concluded that "everyone was in agreement that the referral order was working. This young man does have difficulties. He needs support with anger management and maturity."

The latest court outcome will come as a relief to United and the Football Association, for whom Morrison is potentially an important part of the future England set-up. Morrison had been told in January by another district judge, Wendy Lloyd, that following the witness intimidation case he would be locked up for a year if he was convicted of another offence before the end of 2011.

Scholes pointed out that it was harder making the first team these days than the early 1990s, though. "The difficulty for them these days is that squads are so big aren't they – 22, 23, 24 in a squad and it is difficult. When we were coming you had only 16, 17, 18 and it is more difficult but if they are good enough there's no doubt the manager will use them," he said.

But Ferguson suggested in Boston last night that the next Scholes may come from the youth ranks.

"It is impossible to get another Paul Scholes," he said. "But if we get a player along similar lines in terms of the quality of his passing and vision, we would have to do something. The difficulty is, if you picked the best four midfield players in the world, Scholes would be there with Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Then you could take a pick from somewhere else. It is a loss. How do we overcome it? The next few weeks could help us in that respect. Someone could emerge out of the youth team and we carry on."

Source: The Independent

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Ferguson: Nasri Won't Come to United

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Samir Nasri has decided to leave Arsenal, but the France midfielder will not be joining Manchester United.

Nasri, 24, has one year left on his contract and is reportedly reluctant to sign a new deal with the north London club.

He had been linked with a move to join English Premier League champions United, but Ferguson – speaking on arrival at his team’s pre-season tour of the USA – indicated that Nasri would not be arriving at Old Trafford.

“I don’t think he is coming to United,” Ferguson said.

“That is all I can tell you. I think that he has agreed to go somewhere else.”

Nasri has also been the subject of speculation linking him with a move to Manchester City.

Another possibility is that Wenger may opt not to sell Nasri, allowing him to leave for nothing when his contract expires at the end of the 2011/12 campaign.

If so, they would receive no return on a player who cost a reported fee of 12 million pounds in July 2008.

Ferguson agreed that it was a course of action open to Wenger, but said it would be unlikely to please the Arsenal hierarchy.

“That is his decision,” Ferguson.

“He is the manager. If he stands by that decision, it is a brave one.”

“I don’t know if the (Arsenal) directors will enjoy that one, but it is possible. Maybe he (Nasri) will have to stay.”

Source: Soccernews

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Manchester United target Wesley Sneijder wants to stay at Inter

• The Dutch midfielder had been a target for Sir Alex Ferguson
• 'I love Inter, the Italian fans and Italy,' Sneijder says


Wesley Sneijder joined Internazionale from Real Madrid in 2009. Photograph: Paolo Bruno/Getty Images

Press Association
guardian.co.uk, Mon 11 Jul 2011 21.12 BST

Wesley Sneijder has warned his potential suitors that he will only leave Internazionale this summer if the club decide to sell him.

The Holland international is valued at £35m and has been strongly linked with a move away from San Siro, with Manchester United and the La Liga side Malaga leading the chase to acquire his services.

"I would like to remain," Sneijder said in an interview in July's Italian issue of Vanity Fair magazine. "I have marvellous team-mates. My wife Yolanthe and I love Inter, the Italian fans and Italy.

"Of course, if the club decided to sell me, I will go wherever they tell me to go. But I would be disappointed. We have felt so good here that I would miss the city of Milan and Inter. But football is like that. When I was sold from Real Madrid to Inter, I would have preferred to have remained in Spain. Whatever will be, will be."

Sneijder joined Inter from Real Madrid in 2009 and helped the club win the Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia in his first season in Milan. His second season was more difficult and the former Ajax midfielder was limited by injuries and scored just four goals in 25 league appearances for Inter last season as they finished runners-up in Serie A but won the Coppa Italia.

The new Inter coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, who replaced Leonardo earlier this month, revealed that he is keen to hold on to the 27-year-old.

"Sneijder is a great player, a top player," Gasperini said. "His approach has been more than positive. He is here and he wants to remain with us."

Meanwhile, Inter are on the verge of signing the Brazilian full-back Jonathan from Santos. The 25-year-old is under contract with the South American side for a further three seasons but has a release clause set at €15m (£13.2m).He is considered a potential successor for the Inter defender Maicon, who has been linked in recent months with a move to Real Madrid.

Source: Guardian

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Sunderland confirm O'Shea deal

Manchester United defender John O'Shea has put pen to paper on a four-year deal to join Wes Brown at Sunderland.


The 30-year-old Republic of Ireland international travelled to Wearside for a medical this morning and wasted little time in becoming Steve Bruce's eighth summer signing.

Like Brown, he has joined for an undisclosed fee after United last month accepted a joint offer of more than £12million for the pair and midfielder Darron Gibson.

O'Shea said: "Once I'd heard reports about the club and the people here, the ambitions and what the manager was all about, it was the only place I was going to come to."

Manager Steve Bruce added: "John has been a solid, consistent part of Manchester United's squad for well over a decade, which goes to show the fantastic pedigree of player we have signed.

"He is a wonderful professional both on and off the field and his wealth of experience and versatility will be great attributes for us.

"I'm delighted with the players we have been able to secure ahead of the new season."

O'Shea boasts five Barclays Premier League titles, an FA Cup winners' medal, three League Cup successes and a Champions League triumph among his list of achievements at Old Trafford.

He is also a stalwart of Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland team and like Brown, will bring experience and a winning mentality to the Stadium of Light.

He made almost 400 appearances for the Red Devils during his 12 years with the club and it was initially thought he would take some persuading to leave.

However, despite having to delay talks earlier this week as his wife gave birth, he managed to tie up his move swiftly today.

Meanwhile, the Black Cats were tonight also closing in on a free transfer move for Blackpool midfielder David Vaughan, who is understood to have travelled across the Pennines earlier today with the intention of sealing his own switch.

In a busy day for the Wearside club, legal director Margaret Byrne was appointed new chief executive and Bryan "Pop" Robson returned as chief scout.

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Inter Milan poised to renew interest in Tevez

Manchester City's hopes of keeping Carlos Tevez at the club have been hit by the news that that Inter Milan's new boss is set to be a fellow Argentinean.

Marcelo Bielsa is in line to take over at the San Siro, replacing Brazilian Leonardo who is on the verge of joining PSG, and he has encouraged Inter president Massimo Moratti to sign the City captain.

The former Manchester United striker's desire to leave City is one of the worst kept secrets in football and the Argentina international could now have his dream realised with a move to Italy.

City are believed to be holding out for £40million for the forward and The Nerazzurri would have no problems in raising the funds, especially if they sell Samuel Eto'o who is wanted by a range of clubs across Europe and has expressed a desire to move.

Source: Talksport

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De Laet in Norwich medical

Skysports.com understands Norwich are closing in on the loan signing of Manchester United defender Ritchie de Laet.

De Laet impressed during loan spells with Championship trio Preston, Sheffield United and Portsmouth last season.

The 22-year-old is highly-rated at Old Trafford and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes a loan spell in the Premier League is the next stage in the defender's development.

A number of clubs are believed to have expressed an interest in signing De Laet, but Norwich look set to win the race for his signature.

Canaries boss Paul Lambert is thought to be a big admirer of the Belgium international and is keen to bring him to Carrow Road.

The Premier League new boys have lined up a season-long loan deal for De Laet and if the former Stoke man seals the move he will become Norwich's fourth signing of the summer following the arrivals of James Vaughan, Steve Morison and Elliott Bennett.

Source: Skysports

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Bidding War Ensues In Race For Wing Wizard: Man United, Man City & Chelsea Fight it Out for Alexis Sanchez

Udinese winger Alexis Sanchez is the subject of an intense bidding war between Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City.


The United chief executive, David Gill, flew to meet the Serie A club’s president, Giampolo Pozzo, to discuss a £30million bid for the 22-year-old.

Gill’s counter-part at City, Brian Marwood, was in talks last weekend but failed to reach an agreement on a £27million move.
Chelsea have turned their attention to the Chile international as their long-standing attempt to sign Neymar from Santos appears to have stalled with owner Roman Abramovich unwilling to meet his £40 million buy-out clause.

The Blues bid £22million in January for Sanchez, which was rejected, but as yet have not tabled another offer, according to The Times.

Udinese are hoping the added interest from the Premier League will spark a bidding war for their star who has also attracted interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Juventus.
If United manage to steal the signing of Sanchez from under the noses of their neighbours would signify a major coup for the club.

The Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been very busy so far this summer, after signing Phil Jones from Blackburn and on the verge of completing deals for Ashley Young and David de Gea.

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Nike Manchester United Away Shirt 2011/12 Possibility

Speculation is rife about Manchester United’s away and 3rd choice kits prior to their official launch.


There has been rumours of blue, there have been rumours of black, the above image shows that white may still be on the menu as the rumour mill gathers momentum.

Not that dissimilar to last years away strip but with more black running down the shoulders into the arms, with the red band across the sleeves being removed and placed across the top of the chest instead.

The nike swoosh and club badge stay as they were and with a diamond background woven into the shirt material , it adds a degree of change from last years kit.

It’s yet to be seen if this kit will be the chosen one but adds to the mystique around the 2nd and 3rd choice shirts that Man United will be wearing next season.

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Real Madrid star rules out move to United

Real Madrid and Germany star Mesut Ozil has ruled out a summer move to Manchester United in the wake of Paul Scholes' retirement.


United were interested in Ozil before he left Werder Bremen for Real last August, but the player's agent, Reza Fazeli, says there's no sign of thm coming back in for him as they begin searching for Scholes' replacement in midfield.

"We thank Manchester United for their interest but Ozil is fine in Madrid and has no intention of leaving," said Fazeli.

However, one of Sir Alex Ferguson's more bizarre recent captures, Bebe, is in talks with Turkish club Besiktas about a loan move.

Ferguson broke the habit of a lifetime buy snapping up the striker, who'd been playing in the Portuguese second division, despite never actually seeing him play.

The transfer has not worked out, with the 20-year-old making only seven appearances and scoring just twice.

Source: Mirrorfootball

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I want to play for Mourinho, says Man United star

Manchester United winger Nani has opened the door to a potential switch to Real Madrid after admitting he would like to work under Jose Mourinho.

With the club set to sign Aston Villa forward Ashley Young this month there has been some speculation that Nani could be on his way out - which will only increase now he has revealed he is keen to work under former Chelsea boss Mourinho.

"I am fine at Manchester United, but it is good to hear there are other clubs interested," he said.

"Would I like to work under Mourinho? Yes, but at this moment I am fine at Manchester United."

The Portuguese wide man had a good season at Old Trafford as he helped the Red Devils to win a record 19th title, but he did not start the Champions League final against Barcelona after being overlooked by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

"It was a very positive season for Manchester United, and my best individual campaign," he noted.

"I was left with a bitter taste in my mouth after not being a starter in the Champions League final.

"I was hoping to play from the start, but it is up to the coach to decide."

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Agent claims Arsenal ace Samir Nasri bound for Manchester United

by Geraldine Lagard, Published Thu 09 Jun 2011 16:15, Last updated: 2011-06-09

According to an agent, Manchester United are on the brink of seizing Samir Nasri from Arsenal.

A Premier League agent has revealed through his Twitter account that on the grapevine there is news that the young Frenchman is ready to join the Gunners’ bitter rivals.

Agent Peter Morrison has insisted that while he could not categorically confirm that a deal has already been struck, the surprise move of the summer so far is moving forward.

"I'm hearing reports that Samir Nasri's representatives has indeed agreed a deal enabling him to join #mufc," Morrison revealed via Twitter earlier today.

Nasri is belived to be unsettled at the Emirates given the way the Gunners have failed to challenge meaningfully for the top honours over the last couple of season.

He well knows that he has a much better chance of landing silverware with United and Old tgrafford ace Patrice Evra has urged him to move to the Theatre of Dreams.

The French international has refused to speak to Arsenal about a new contract and has told the club that he wants new players to arrive in the summer.

Nasri also told French television station TF1 that he would consider an approach from Sir Alex Ferguson.

He said: “Do I want to go to United? We should see if their interest is real and if it is concrete first."

Source: Bleacher report

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Usain Bolt: I want to play for Manchester United

Star athlete Usain Bolt has revealed he wants to swap his spikes for football boots and become a Manchester United player.


The world’s fastest human grew up supporting the Old Trafford side and reckons he has what it takes to make it into Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad.

The Red Devils’ boss has already seen the Olympic 100m and 200m champion in action when the Jamaican trained with the team in 2009.

Bolt was set to line up for his first competitive 200m race in more than a year at the Diamond League meeting in Oslo on Thursday night.

But the 24-year-old took a break from training in Norway to talk about his footballing ambitions. He said: ‘I really want to try soccer after I retire because I’ve watched football over the years and I think I could be a good contender.

‘I’m really looking forward to it and yes, I definitely think I’m good enough to play for Manchester United.

‘I’m quick, I have a little skill – I have to refine it a little bit but I should be good enough.’

He would show every player in the Premier League a clean pair of heels as his top speed when he set the 100m world record was 27.8mph, comfortably quicker than the league’s nippiest players.

What Bolt lacks in experience he makes up for in confidence as he thinks he could be as good as Wayne Rooney – the league champions’ highest paid player.

‘I am a football fan for a lot of years. I watch these guys playing, I think I can do a pretty good job,’ he said. ‘I think I could step up to the Rooneys, I think I could do well.’

The three-times Olympic gold medallist is not the first athlete to think about giving the beautiful game a go.

After a drugs ban in the early 1990s European indoor 60m champion Jason Livingston had trials with two teams – Cardiff City and Wigan Athletic.

But Cardiff rejected him when they found out who he was and Wigan did not rate his ability.

Source: Metro

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United step up Nasri pursuit

Sir Alex Ferguson determined to land Arsenal schemer


Skysports.com understands Manchester United have stepped up their interest in Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri.

Speculation has intimated Nasri is on United's radar and skysports.com has now learnt he is the club's top target.

The talented French schemer's reluctance to engage in contract talks with Arsenal until he is satisfied their transfer targets are of the required standard to mount a title push next season has alerted Sir Alex Ferguson to his possible availability.

Despite being close to wrapping up a deal for Blackburn defender Phil Jones and Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea, amid widespread speculation Aston Villa's Ashley Young is also heading for Old Trafford, Ferguson's appetite for new signings has yet to be sated.

Nasri is seen as an ideal replacement for the retired Paul Scholes, with the centre of the field an area United's management are keen to revamp with fresh talent.

Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder has been linked but Nasri, with just a season left on his existing deal, could be a more realistic deal to finance.

Arsene Wenger would be loath to lose one of key men, especially given Nasri's exit would likely lead to other members of his squad questioning their own futures.

However, United are now ready to test Arsenal's resolve to keep a player who has previously intimated he would be open to the prospect of moving to Manchester.

Source: skysports

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PSG Make £16m Bid For Manchester Star

New Parc des Princes owners want Old Trafford star.


Manchester United are mulling over a £16million bid from French side Paris Saint-Germain for striker Dimitar Berbatov.

The Ligue 1 side have recently been bought by Qatari billionaires and are looking to spend their wealth in making PSG a top team once again according to Le Parisien.

The new owners are willing to begin a Manchester City style spending spree and want Berbatov to form a dream attack with Lorient star and Tottenham Hotspur target Kevin Gameiro.
Berbatov finished joint top scorer in the Premier League this season but he lost his place in the starting XI to Mexican Javier Hernandez.

The 30-year-old was also left out of the Champions League final squad completely as Michael Owen got the nod in his place.

Berbatov said he was embarrassed by the axe but is determined to carry on at Old Trafford at least until his contract expires in 12 months.

“To be honest, I was in the dressing room,” he said. “I watched the final from there. This was embarrassing for me – that I was not included in the group.
“I didn’t want people to see the pain in my eyes.

“I will remain at United. I will fight for my place and I will fight for title number 20. If I was a man who gave up easily, I would never be here in the first place.

“Starting July 4, everything begins all over again – my personal fight to be in the first team, and for United to win more titles.”

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Ashley Young will decide on Liverpool or Manchester Utd transfer next week

Ashley Young has sidelined discussions over his future until after England’s Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland at Wembley on Saturday.


The winger has only 12 months remaining of his Aston Villa contract and is being strongly linked with a move to either Manchester United or Liverpool.

Young said: ‘I have said I’ll speak to the manager [ Gerard Houllier] and chairman [Randy Lerner] at the end of the season.

'I’ve got to concentrate on this game and then see what happens regarding talking to them.’

Young, who has refused to sign an improved or extended contract with Villa, is hoping to build on his impressive performances for his country against Denmark, Wales and Ghana.

‘I feel, with the last two games I’ve started, I’ve done really well,’ he added.

‘I think I’m giving the manager a lot more to think about with my performances.’

The Villa wide man scored seven goals and made nine assists in 37 Premier League appearances last season.

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Michael Owen signs one-year extension at Manchester United

Source: talkSPORT


Michael Owen has signed a one-year contract extension with Manchester United.

It will be the striker's third season with the Red Devils after arriving from Newcastle in 2009.

Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Michael has proved to be a top footballer.
"It’s unfortunate Michael didn’t get more opportunities but the form of Chicharito put everyone in the shade and his partnership with Rooney proved invaluable.

"I am delighted Michael is staying for a further year and we will look to give him more opportunities in the new season.”

Michael Owen said: “I’m delighted to have agreed a one-year extension to my contract.

"To play alongside so many great players, under an exceptional manager, and in front of so many incredibly passionate supporters, is a real inspiration.

"I can’t wait for next season to start."

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Chelsea and Man United Hope to Tempt £30m Rated Tottenham Star Into Summer Move

Manchester United and Chelsea look to lure Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric by tripling his pay to £130,000 per week – report
Spurs man wants Champions League football again after this year’s experience and could see massive pay rise by moving to one of the top two Premier League clubs Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly ready to offer a staggering triple pay rise to star midfielder Luka Modric to entice the player to leave Tottenham in the summer.

The 25-year-old, who would attract a transfer fee of around £30million, is currently on a £45,000 a week deal at White Hart Lane.

However, the Croatian could bump his wage up to at least £130,000 a week if he joins either Chelsea or United and would also have the opportunity of playing in the prestigious Champions League again. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy could make an exception to his wage structure to keep Modric at White Hart Lane but he will not offer as much as Chelsea or United.

(Goal.com)

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has made it clear he has no intention of selling any of his top talent but perhaps there is a fear that an offer of the kind illustrated by this source may tempt the Croatian into leaving the North London club. A failure to secure Champions League football has led many to believe that some of White Hart Lane’s star turns may seek a move this summer.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been linked with moves to bring in more creativity to the club’s midfield and has also been strongly linked with moves for Gareth Bale and Rafael Van der Vaart. Modric would add more of a link between midfield and attack and the former Dinamo Zagreb midfielder is a more offensive weapon than the likes of Michael Carrick, Anderson, Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher.

Chelsea may see Modric as a potential long term replacement for veteran Frank Lampard and Roman Abramovich seems keen on splashing the cash and flexing his financial muscle having spent big to sign David Luiz and Fernando Torres in January.
No doubt Tottenham will be looking to offer Modric an improved deal to help scare off prospective suitors but fortunately for Redknapp it does seem that the 25 year old seems very happy at the club.

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