Manchester United’s Transfer Target’s Agent In Talks With Chelsea

Agent to Inter Milan’s midfielder and Manchester United’s target Fredy Guarin has admitted he is in talks with Chelsea over the player’s possible move to the west London side.

The player is been closely watched by clubs in the Premier League. It appears that Chelsea are in the lead to land the coveted player. They are reported to be willing to spend €15 million on the 24 year Columbian international.

Manchester United are reported to have sent their representatives to discuss with his agent on a potential move to Old Trafford. The player however is insisting on remaining in the Serie A.

“I cannot deny there is something, I haven’t spoken with Mourinho but my agent did,” Guarin told reporters.

“However, I hope Inter consider my will to stay.”

Inter Milan has clearly stated that no offer has been made for Guarin yet. They also said that the player would be given permission to hold talks and that they would be willing to sell to Chelsea if the price is right.

Fredy Guarin is an attack minded midfielder but can also fit into a defensive role if the situation demands it just like Brazilian international Ramires does at Chelsea. With Lampard edging closer to the end of his career and Juan Mata set to leave Stamford Bridge, Fredy Guarin is considered to be a very viable option to Jose Mourinho’s side.

Joe Krishnan of Evening Standard had hinted that with Kevin de Bruyne likely to leave Chelsea, ‘The Special One’ would be need some reinforcement in his squad during this current transfer season.

The player has made 17 appearances for Inter Milan this season and assisted in Palacio late goal that gave them the win against city AC goal on Sunday.

Of those two English clubs, which of them will eventually land the player?

David Moyes Wants Diego Costa At Old Trafford

David Moyes recently claimed that he is not interested in signing top quality strikers like Ramadel Falcao or Diego Costa this winter transfer season. But just by reports, it seems he may have a change of mind in the summer. 

Popular Spanish news media El Confidencial reports that David Moyes has been watching Diego Costa closely and would like to bring him to Old Trafford this summer. The Spanish international has been in terrific form this season. He is currently the leading goal scorer in the La Liga with 19 goals; same number of goals with Liverpool’s Luis Suaraez in the race to the European golden shoe.

Embedded in the Spaniard’s contract is a €38 million release clause. With the awesome form Costa is now, Manchester United ( and any club that would be interested in signing him for that matter) should be willing to pay his release clause as Atletico would not let go one of the best strikers in the world for anything less than his full worth.

The mother-of-all question is why is Moye’s not making strong efforts to sign Costa in the coming summer transfer window?  With the Spaniard’s pair of hot footballing legs doing service for United, one can only wonder the fate of our opposition to the Premier League title chase.

But there are certain grave hurdles the Red Devils would have to consider if at all the player would be disposed to go to England. Manchester United are seven points behind a top four finish that would qualify them for a UEFA Champions League position next season. Been in the Champions League next season would make it a lot easier for Costa ( and other big names on Moyes’ watch list) to come over to Old Trafford next season.

With United’s world class striker Robin Van Persie beginning to show signs of been injury prone again, his best days may well just be behind him. Danny Welbeck and Chicharito are a not-too-effective cover for the Dutch man.

In such a situation, it becomes incumbent on United to sign a world class striker  as soon as they can before their not been in the Champions League next season becomes a factor that would count against them.

Arsenal is another club that has been linked with Diego Costa. United need to get their acts together on time and make a huge move for the player before the competition gets tougher.

Manchester United Chase FC Porto Defender And Inter Milan Midfielder

According to Eurosport and Mirror, David Moyes, coach of Manchester United has placed FC Porto’s defender Eliaquim Mangala on his list of transfer targets.

According to the reports, David Moyes recently watched the French man in action for his team as they crashed out of the Champions League against Atletico Madrid. United’s scouts have been watching Mangala with keen interest for some months now.

Moyes has been searching for a replacement for his team captain Nemanja Vidic who would be leaving them at the end of this season. His physique and his marking skills make Mangala very suitable for the Premiership.

David Moyes is expected to spend big during the January transfer window and has been linked with several big names. One hurdle in his chase for the French man is that he is cup-tied for the Champions League.

The 22 year old defender’s impressive form would most likely get him a place on the plane to Brazil this summer where he will represent France.

Mangala started his football career at Belgian side Standard Liege at 17 where he spent four years of a blossoming career. He then moved to Porto in 2011 for a fee of €6.5M. He has since established himself as a regular first team player for Porto.  He is currently valued at €15 million.

With Chris Smalling’s performance in recent times showing he is not totally ready for the challenge on the big stage and Phil Jones not getting regular play time due to he also not totally ready and his constant romance with injuries, United are in dire need of a solid defender in the mold of Mangala.

In other news Manchester United are said to be planning to make a move for Inter Milan midfielder Fredy Guarin according to reports. The 27 year old Colombian international is seen by Moyes as one who can add the kind of quality that is lacking in United’s midfield. 

The versatility of the Columbian international would take a lot of pressure off the fumbling United’s midfield. Manchester United are recently linked to a move for Athletico Madrid’s star Koke.

Leonardo: Paris Saint Germain Were Desperate To Sign Cristiano Ronaldo

French champions Paris Saint Germain were very keen on signing Real Madrid’s goal machine Cristiano Ronaldo during the last transfer window.

In an exclusive interview with French program Telefoot, the former sporting director of Paris Saint-Germain had revealed that they had tried everything within their means to lure Ronaldo away from Santiago Bernabeu. But all their efforts fell short of landing the prolific striker.

Ronaldo has had an awesome first half of the season where he had scored 25 goals in just 18 appearances. This surpasses the goal record of Frank Ribery of Bayern Munich and Lionel Messi of Barcelona thus making him the favourite to emerge as the Ballon D’Or winner.

Cristiano Ronaldo recently signed a five year contract extension with Real Madrid in September that would keep him atSantiago Bernabeu till 2018. Prior to this time, all had really not been well between the player and his club as news of friction between both was beginning to circulate in the media.

Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain were two clubs that were keenly interested in the player. This was confirmed by former sporting director of PSG Leonardo. According to him;

“We also thought of signing Ronaldo. I did everything within the written law to try to get him to Paris but it was impossible to make him leave Real Madrid.”

The Brazilian also spoke of his club’s interest in signing French prodigy Paul Pogba who is now a regular first team player for Serie A side Juventus since joining them from Manchester United. Pogba has also sealed his place in the starting lineup of the French national team.

Funds flowing in from massive investments from the Middle East has made PSG a major force in European football in the last two seasons and Leonardo believes PSG will need time to improve.

PSG has been spending big money in the last two seasons buying up quality players across Europe. Cavani, Ibrahimovic, Thiago Motta, Thiago Silva, Pastore to mention but a few. Let’s see how their investments would translate to wins in their local league and in the continent too.

West Brom Albion In Pole Position To Sign Wilfried Zaha On Loan

Latest reports have it that West Brom Albion are in the lead to land Manchester United player Wilfried Zaha on loan for the rest of the season. 

Wilfried Zaha signed for United in January 2013 but only joined the rest of his Manchester United team mates last summer. The player has found himself outside of David Moyes’ plans for most part of the season making just one solitary appearance which came in Capital One Cup.

Rumours had it that his ordeal is not unrelated with the alleged affair between the player and  Lauren Moyes, daughter of David Moyes. But that rumour has long been dismissed by the player himself.

“I’ve never dated or even met David Moyes’s Daughter so that isn’t the reason for my absence in games.”

“I would like to stop all these false accusations. I will play for Manchester United when my

manager feels I’m ready”  Zaha said via Tweeter on Friday according to daily mail.

David Moyes had explained that Zaha needed more time to get familiar with what it takes to be a Premiership player. The 21 year old English international was according to reports told he was free to leave United for the rest of the season so as to be able to garner more first team appearances which would greatly boost his development.

Everton, Fulham and Stokes were all reported to be interested in signing the winger on loan but according to the latest reports, West Brom are said to be the favourites to get the player. The Baggies case is reportedly helped by Zaha’s preference for them.

And should he go to West Brom, he will surely be in good hands as Steve Clarke is reputed to be able to get the best out of young talents and that is one reason the player is considering going over to the club. Crystal Palace too are also said to be in contention for the player’s signature.

To me, it doesn’t matter which of the interested clubs end up signing the player. What matters is if the club he joins will play him regularly so the player can develop. No point sending him to a club where he will have no chance of regular first team football.

United and Liverpool Chase Pedro Rodriguez Despite 150m Release Clause

Manchester United and Liverpool are said to be in pursuit of Barcelona winger Pedro Rodriguez. The player had made 37 appearances for Spain so far has a contract with his club till 2016 and has a release clause of 150 million.

Rogers would be looking to the Barca winger Pedro in his search for a left-footed striker that would complement Luis Suarez even as The Reds hope to consolidate their position on the top four which would qualify them for a place in the Champions League next season. They had lost out in their previous attempts to sign Konoplayanka and Mkhitariyan and see the Spaniard as a very good option.

The inconsistent form of Danny Welbeck and Nani may force David Moyes to make a move for the player during the transfer window. Pedro certainly meets all Moyes’s expectations as he can stay wide or cut in-field.

Pedro graduated from the famous La Masia and was a regular first team player under former Coach Pep Guardiola. The versatile winger has been plagued with a series of injuries which had made his form to dip considerably. This has led to a reduction in his first team appearances. However, he is still a very integral part of Blaugrana as he can easily play on both wings.

Pedro, while still grateful to Barcelona, had hinted on the possibility of a move to England in future

“[Pedro] told his intimates that he had ‘little things’ in England and that although he is grateful to Barca for everything, [he] also thinks about his future.”

Moyes appear to be looking to the La Liga to solve his midfield worries. According to an exclusive report by AS, United are in hot chase for Atletico Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera who they almost signed on deadline day. Moyes is also trying to get Borusia Dortmund’s midfielder Illkay Gundogan. He considers the German as a good fit for United’s current lineup.

Now the thing is this: despite his age and nagging injury, would Pedro be willing to leave camp Nou for Old Trafford?

Manchester United Ready To Trigger Koke’s Release Clause

Atletcio Madrid’s versatile attacker Koke is said to be on Manchester United’s transfer watch list. According toreports, Manchester United directors are willing to trigger the player’s release clause which is valued at around £16 million.

The 21 year old striker played a key role in Atletico’s Madrid’s campaign in the La Liga last season where he helped them to win the Copa del Rey against Spanish giants Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu. Koke came through the ranks at Atletico Madrid’s youth team and at 21 he had already made his senior team debut and is now a regular player for his club.

As of the time of writing this article, he has won the Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and the Copa del Rey with Atletico Madrid in his fast rising career so far. He has also played alongside some great names in the game such as Radamel Falcao, Sergio Aguero, Diego Forlan and David Villa.

Koke has got amazing passing skills and the ability to dictate the pace of the game to suit his team. These are qualities United urgently needs.  Manchester United’s poor run in the Premier League thus far stems from their lack of quality central midfielders. With Michael Carrick in and out of injuries, Moyes’ options are very few. Many people therefore see Koke as a player that would effectively plug in United’s porous midfield and help them dictate the pace of the game.

Other big names in English football are also interested in Koke. Liverpool are eager to bring the Spaniard down to Anfield. Chelsea and man City too are also watching the player with very keen interest. Soon a full scale bidding war would erupt.

United was linked with several big names during the last summer transfer window. At the end of the transfer window, Moyes was only able to bring in a mediocre Mourane Fellaini from Everton. With big names all shying away from Old Trafford and the coach himself finding his job extremely difficult to handle, will Koke want to join Manchester United? Will Moyes be able to get Koke to sign for United this time around?

Manchester United Making A Move For Barcelona’s Iniesta

Manchester United are reported to be making an audacious move for Barcelona’s midfielder Andres Iniesta. The Spanish international’s contract with the Catalan club would end in 2015 and he is yet to sign any contract extension with the club.

 Recent reports from Spain suggest that the relationship between the midfield maestro and his club management have not been too good of late. Reports suggest that the relationship between them took a downward turn since the exit of former coach Pep Guardiola. Also the departure of Emili Ricart Barcelona’s physiotherapist who had worked very closely with Iniesta did not go down well with the player.

Barcelona are reported to be keen on keeping the player but Iniesta is said to be considering a move away from Camp Nou. But in spite of all the noise surrounding Iniesta’s future, Vice President of Barcelona Josep Maria Bartomeu had revealed that negotiation with the player’s agent has reached an advanced stage.

 In an interview last month, the Vice President said “We are in advanced talks and both parties want to find an agreement. The length of the contract will be the longest permitted by the law, and it won’t be his last contract with Barça.”

The player too has also dispelled any rumours linking him with a move away from Barcelona stating that money would not influence his decision to sign a new contract with his current club. He told a press interview that.

“There’s nothing to worry about it. There won’t be troubles on such a subject, since Barça is family for me. Some things are more important than money, and we’ll sign at the right time.”

United’s Coach David Moyes is said to be monitoring the situation with keen interest. Manchester United’s midfield certainly needs the spark that Andres Iniesta is well known for. After failing to secure a deal with team mate Cesc Fabregas, Moyes has now turned his attention to Iniesta.

Barcelona are said to be willing to offer the player a new contract with a significantly higher pay. Iniesta is an integral member of the Barca side. He has made 474 appearances for the club and has won several La Liga titles, UEFA Champions League, Super Cup and World Clubs Cup with  Barcelona.