Cabaye and Modric are plan B as Moyes won't wait for Fabregas
22 Jul 2013 08:02
Although the Spaniard is David Moyes’ No.1 summer transfer target, the new boss has contingency plans in case the move for Cesc Fabregas collapses.
The wait goes on as United patiently pursue midfield target Cesc Fabregas, but the Reds won’t allow the chase to drag on much longer.
Although the Spaniard is David Moyes’ No.1 summer transfer target, the new boss has contingency plans in case the move for Fabregas collapses.
Moyes doesn’t want to be left without an addition to the champions’ engine room come the close of the transfer window at the end of August, so he already has other options.
They include interest in Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye and Real Madrid’s Luka Modric.
United’s Dutch striker Robin van Persie has endorsed the club’s interest in Fabregas, with whom he played at Arsenal.
Asked whether he wanted to team up with Fabregas again at Old Trafford, the Reds striker replied simply: “Of course, he’s a great player.”
United have had one £26m bid rejected and have now upped the offer to £30m in a concerted effort to wear Barcelona down.
The Spanish club have spent £48.6m on Brazilian Neymar and invested heavily on Lionel Messi’s wages.
To recoup some of that outlay on Fabregas – a player who might not start that many games next season – is the tempting carrot United believe might see Barca succumb.
But any decision over the future of Fabregas in Spain may have to go on the back burner following the sad news that Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has had to quit his post after a recurrence of his throat cancer.
The Spaniards are set to announce a new manager this week to succeed Vilanova and a deal for Fabregas is unlikely to be completed until the new man has had time to assess his squad wants and needs.
Newcastle’s midfielder Cabaye has emerged as a cheaper option at around £15m.
The box-to-box player has already expressed his delight that the Reds have reportedly been keen on taking him to Old Trafford. Earlier this month the former Lille player, who signed for the Geordies two years ago, said: “I like this club (United) for a long time, I like what they do.
“The boss has left but they have appointed a very good successor, and he did some very good things with Everton.
“It could be an interesting challenge but there is nothing concrete and I am still at Newcastle.”
Cabaye’s 10 Premier League goals in 60 appearances is a record that has attracted Moyes’ attention. United’s renewed interest in Modric could also be on the cards as an option if the Fabregas deal collapses.
Former boss Sir Alex Ferguson chased the Croatian midfielder last summer when he was at Spurs, but Modric chose to go to Real Madrid instead.
However, his time at the Bernabeu hasn’t entirely been happy and successful and the Reds believe a return to England might tempt him to end his Real dream after just a year.
But one Madrid superstar looks set to stay. United fans have been excited all summer at the prospect of the Reds putting together a financial package to entice Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford.
The former World Player of the Year is yet to agree a new Bernabeu contract.
But new Real manager Carlo Ancelotti, the former Chelsea chief, believes there will not be a stumbling block.
“Everyone knows that he is a superstar and a great player,” Ancelotti said. “The most important thing for the club is that a player of his quality shows the utmost professionalism. That is good, especially for the young players who can see a world-class player working with that attitude. I am not responsible for the renewal of his contract, but it won’t be a problem.”
United have moved on to Japan for the latest leg of their pre-season tour after a week in Australia.
But chief executive Ed Woodward is now back in the UK and will be attempting to get the Reds’ summer transfer business rolling somehow.
United could still step up their interest in Everton left-back Leighton Baines having had an initial offer of £12m rejected.
A double swoop on Everton could also still happen with Moyes keen on Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini.
Woodward could also settle the Wayne Rooney saga now he’s back on home soil.
Moyes had a series of phone calls with the England striker while United were in Sydney and Rooney was in Manchester having treatment on his hamstring injury.
It was an attempt to placate the player over the manager’s comments last weekend that suggested Rooney would be playing second fiddle to main striker Van Persie.
Rooney, however, hasn’t been convinced by Moyes’ argument and his future still looks to be away from Old Trafford, despite the club knocking back Chelsea’s opening £22m bid.
Moyes will not want to lose a player of Rooney’s quality until United start to bring in some of their targets.
22 Jul 2013 08:02
Although the Spaniard is David Moyes’ No.1 summer transfer target, the new boss has contingency plans in case the move for Cesc Fabregas collapses.
The wait goes on as United patiently pursue midfield target Cesc Fabregas, but the Reds won’t allow the chase to drag on much longer.
Although the Spaniard is David Moyes’ No.1 summer transfer target, the new boss has contingency plans in case the move for Fabregas collapses.
Moyes doesn’t want to be left without an addition to the champions’ engine room come the close of the transfer window at the end of August, so he already has other options.
They include interest in Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye and Real Madrid’s Luka Modric.
United’s Dutch striker Robin van Persie has endorsed the club’s interest in Fabregas, with whom he played at Arsenal.
Asked whether he wanted to team up with Fabregas again at Old Trafford, the Reds striker replied simply: “Of course, he’s a great player.”
United have had one £26m bid rejected and have now upped the offer to £30m in a concerted effort to wear Barcelona down.
The Spanish club have spent £48.6m on Brazilian Neymar and invested heavily on Lionel Messi’s wages.
To recoup some of that outlay on Fabregas – a player who might not start that many games next season – is the tempting carrot United believe might see Barca succumb.
But any decision over the future of Fabregas in Spain may have to go on the back burner following the sad news that Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has had to quit his post after a recurrence of his throat cancer.
The Spaniards are set to announce a new manager this week to succeed Vilanova and a deal for Fabregas is unlikely to be completed until the new man has had time to assess his squad wants and needs.
Newcastle’s midfielder Cabaye has emerged as a cheaper option at around £15m.
The box-to-box player has already expressed his delight that the Reds have reportedly been keen on taking him to Old Trafford. Earlier this month the former Lille player, who signed for the Geordies two years ago, said: “I like this club (United) for a long time, I like what they do.
“The boss has left but they have appointed a very good successor, and he did some very good things with Everton.
“It could be an interesting challenge but there is nothing concrete and I am still at Newcastle.”
Cabaye’s 10 Premier League goals in 60 appearances is a record that has attracted Moyes’ attention. United’s renewed interest in Modric could also be on the cards as an option if the Fabregas deal collapses.
Former boss Sir Alex Ferguson chased the Croatian midfielder last summer when he was at Spurs, but Modric chose to go to Real Madrid instead.
However, his time at the Bernabeu hasn’t entirely been happy and successful and the Reds believe a return to England might tempt him to end his Real dream after just a year.
But one Madrid superstar looks set to stay. United fans have been excited all summer at the prospect of the Reds putting together a financial package to entice Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford.
The former World Player of the Year is yet to agree a new Bernabeu contract.
But new Real manager Carlo Ancelotti, the former Chelsea chief, believes there will not be a stumbling block.
“Everyone knows that he is a superstar and a great player,” Ancelotti said. “The most important thing for the club is that a player of his quality shows the utmost professionalism. That is good, especially for the young players who can see a world-class player working with that attitude. I am not responsible for the renewal of his contract, but it won’t be a problem.”
United have moved on to Japan for the latest leg of their pre-season tour after a week in Australia.
But chief executive Ed Woodward is now back in the UK and will be attempting to get the Reds’ summer transfer business rolling somehow.
United could still step up their interest in Everton left-back Leighton Baines having had an initial offer of £12m rejected.
A double swoop on Everton could also still happen with Moyes keen on Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini.
Woodward could also settle the Wayne Rooney saga now he’s back on home soil.
Moyes had a series of phone calls with the England striker while United were in Sydney and Rooney was in Manchester having treatment on his hamstring injury.
It was an attempt to placate the player over the manager’s comments last weekend that suggested Rooney would be playing second fiddle to main striker Van Persie.
Rooney, however, hasn’t been convinced by Moyes’ argument and his future still looks to be away from Old Trafford, despite the club knocking back Chelsea’s opening £22m bid.
Moyes will not want to lose a player of Rooney’s quality until United start to bring in some of their targets.
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