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.