Paper Talk: Rooney favours Blues move

Wayne Rooney plans to join Chelsea if he quits Old Trafford, Thiago Alcantara is nearing a move to Man United, while Fulham want Scott Parker.

• Jose Mourinho has been given the green light to launch a major spending spree after Chelsea signed a staggering £300million deal with adidas.
• Wayne Rooney will decide his Manchester United future in crunch talks with David Moyes next week.
• Aston Villa could be forced to give £4million in golden handshakes to get rid of three big names.
• Southampton are a step nearer to pulling off a £10million swoop for Victor Wanyama.
• Steve Bruce has won the fight to keep prize asset James Chester out of the clutches of Aston Villa and Newcastle.
• West Ham have put nearly £12million worth of talent up for sale to bankroll their signing of Andy Carroll.
• Charles N'Zogbia's chances of a dream move abroad have been wrecked by a freak holiday injury.
• Roberto Martinez is ready to make his first Everton signing with a £4.5million swoop for Bruno Ecuele Manga.
• Paolo Di Canio wants to give striker Jozy Altidore another crack at the Premier League.
• Lee Clark has put a £3million price tag on Birmingham winger Nathan Redmond.
• Liverpool will have to pay £6million to land Sporting Lisbon's Spanish winger Diego Capel.
• Brian McDermott has been given the green light to sign his Reading old boys Noel Hunt and Matt Mills.

• Wayne Rooney to sign for before 3rd September 2013 - Sign For Before 1st September: Chelsea 7/2

• Wayne Rooney will meet David Moyes to decide his Manchester United future next week with both Chelsea and Arsenal ready to offer him a way out
• Thiago Alcantara is poised to seal a £15million switch to Manchester United.
• Sunderland hardman Lee Cattermole will become the biggest casualty of Paolo Di Canio's clear-out.
• Curtis Davies' £2.5million move to Hull from Birmingham is in doubt because the Tigers want a loan fee for Jack Hobbs.
• Southampton last night moved a step closer to completing a £10million deal for Celtic ace Victor Wanyama.
• Fulham boss Martin Jol will fight QPR for Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker.
• Rafa Benitez began his reign at Napoli and immediately set his sights on Luis Suarez.

• Wayne Rooney wants to join Chelsea if he quits Manchester United this summer.
• Thiago Alcantara has decided to turn his back on Barcelona and join Manchester United to rescue his World Cup dream.
• Santi Cazorla is convinced Arsenal will challenge for the Premier League title next season if they can get Gonzalo Higuain on board.
• Schalke have targeted a move for Fulham full-back Sascha Riether - just a month after the Cottagers wrapped up a permament deal for the German defender.
• Sunderland lead the race for Jozy Altidore, who has also been watched by Fulham, Southampton, Cardiff, Norwich and Celtic.
• Luis Alberto believes he can become the latest in a line of Spaniards to be a huge success at Liverpool.

• Wayne Rooney is ready to snub Arsenal and leave Manchester United for Chelsea this summer.
• Manchester United have triggered the £17million release clause in Thiago Alcantara's contract.

• Alan Pardew fears his top players will want to leave Newcastle after Joe Kinnear's radio rant

Manchester United transfer news: Rooney to Chelsea; Lewandowski move back on?

A select round-up of transfer news relating to Manchester United, including Wayne Rooney, Robert Lewandowski and Thiago Alcantara.

Reports this morning suggest that Wayne Rooney’s Manchester United future hinges on whether or not David Moyes will refute his predecessor’s claims that the England striker requested a transfer at the end of last season.
Rooney continues to deny the claims, made by Sir Alex Ferguson following his final game at Old Trafford. And it appears that Moyes’ first role as United manager may be to decide who to back – his player, or the man who recommended him for the job.
Reports also suggest that should no back-tracking take place, Rooney prefers a move to Chelsea over Arsenal.
Jose Mourinho is said to have been informed of the player’s choice, although he is currently eying the potential capture of either Edinson Cavani or Hulk.
Talks between Moyes and Rooney are set to take place next week. So expect many new and re-hashed stories before an official announcement is made.
Should Rooney leave, he could be replaced by Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski. Yes, that story is back – with United said to believe they can still tempt the Polish international away from Germany despite his desire to move to Bayern Munich.
With that transfer seemingly impossible for at least 12 months, Moyes is said to be considering a move for Lewandowski should a swoop for Cristiano Ronaldo be unsuccessful.
Although the reality is that neither player is likely to pull on the red of United next season – no matter how much fans would love them to.
The club also look set to miss out on Marco van Ginkel, with Chelsea reportedly agreeing a fee with his current club Vitesse Arnhem.
Previous stories suggested that United were looking to hijack the Blues’ deal for the midfielder.  But they appear far more likely to secure another coveted young player in the form of Thiago Alcantara.
Spanish media are picking up English reports this morning, claiming that a deal for the 22-year-old Barcelona player is all but done.
There have been countless stories in recent days, each escalating the likelihood that United will finally bring in a midfielder of the calibre to take them forward both domestically and in Europe.

The Ballad of Ryan Giggs

A regular in the ranks,
The general leading his troops into battle,
Sir Ryan Giggs is a Red Devil
From the earliest beginnings of 1990
To forever.
The iconic number 11 has become
A face of the past, the present and the future.
As he once jammed down he left flank
Disregard to human nature.
A goal that defined a career
An FA Cup extra-time winner in ’99,
Single-handedly destroyed Gunners fans,
Leaving nearly every defender behind.
For him it’s mission possible,
Securing the fabled treble, and enough medals worthy of a King
His next destination?
United, eternal glory.
Silky smooth play with that pop star face,
Who could forget that mane on his chest
An the roars of a lion.
Ryan Giggs, is Manchester United.
Put him in the 18, the lad won’t miss
As the gem of a left foot drives onwards.
One touch and he’s gone, a globetrotter during his days
Round the keeper he goes,
Further etching his name into football history.
The phrase coined Beck it like Beckham
Should have been Grind it like Giggsy.
United’s in his veins, both the ball and the blood
Flow through the Welshman.
The day we first saw him at the age of 17,
He stunned as far as the eyes could see
With pace, and precision mesmerizing
All, A Red Devil through and through.
Giggsy goes down, as the best to never appear in a World Cup
But he’s carried on the spirit of United
Raising trophies has become a yearly occurrence
With wings alongside our beloved crest
Chelsea, Arsenal, and City alike,
Struggle to keep up with his will to fight
And the questions continue to arise as he races the grim-reaper
Lad, are you falling behind?
To a living legend who nears 39.

Arsenal Latest: La Liga Expert Amazed With Real’s Decision To Allow Higuain And Cazorla Talks Trophies

Arsenal are on the verge of signing their first player this transfer window and as hoped by many critics, he is not some 17 year old French kid. Wenger had been really serious regarding this transfer window and now with Gonzalo Higuain edging closer to the Emirates move; their team is going to get a real boost.

While the manager and the fans of the London club can be absolutely jubilant, because Higuain is certainly one of the best strikers in the world, questions have arisen from some quarters on Real’s decision to let go of Higuain. Terry Gibson, who has played for Manchester United and Spurs and now works as a La Liga expert, has recently stated in an interview with Talksport

“Arsenal are getting a very good player. I’m amazed Real Madrid are considering selling him.  “He’s 25 years old, so he’s only going to get better. He’s been a great player for Real Madrid. Sometimes clubs and supporters get bored with the same strikers. I don’t see any reason why Higuain would leave. If Arsenal could get him for under £20million then that’s a steal.”

From 2007 until now, Higuain has featured in 187 league matches for Madrid scoring 107 goals. This speaks volumes when we take into consideration the fact that any striker playing for Madrid had to play as a second fiddle to Ronaldo and Higuain was no different. Moreover, his Gametime was divided with Benzema and there were practically no occasions when both these players were present on the field simultaneously.

Thus it can be safely concluded that while Arsenal would be a huge benefactor with the transfer of Higuain, more if they can wrap the deal within £20m, Real would have to make things work again even if they successfully get Suarez or Cavani. As it looks from here, the only thing that has triggered his move out of Real is the boredom of the supporters and the club hierarchy!

In other good news for the Arsenal fans, Santi Cazorla, Arsenal’s standout performer of this season, has stressed that he is pretty confident that the team would challenge for trophies next season and most importantly the Premier League. In a recent interview the Spaniard has stated:

‘When the team doesn’t win and we don’t get the results we want, the collective confidence does drop a little and that is natural. Now we have put in a spectacular run-in and you can see the difference in mentality,’ Cazorla said in the July edition of the official Arsenal magazine.
‘We have great players. I am sure next season we will be a better team and improve. Next season we hope we can be even better and win trophies and the supporters can enjoy it, that is what Arsenal really wants.’

The midfielder continued to talk about the radical managerial changes in the Premier league as the top three teams have all undergone some serious changes this season. Cazorla believes his former boss Manuel Pellegrini will add value to Man City and he expects nothing less from the Premier league’s top three.

The Spain international added: “I do not think it influences too much. The most radical change is at Manchester United because Ferguson has been there for so long. It will be a little difficult at the start for a new manager, but I don’t think it influences too much in terms of being and advantage for other teams. There are great managers at those clubs and I am sure it will be just as difficult

If the Cristiano Ronaldo pursuit falters, is Robert Lewandowski 'plan B'?

Dennis Grombkowski

Robert Lewandowski is a wonderful player, however, Manchester United don't need him.

•  Share (1)
•  Tweet (6)
• 3 Comments

Here's what is becoming seemingly clear as of late in regards to summer transfer priorities for Manchester United: above all, they desire a dramatic reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo -- and beyond that, closing Thiago Alcantara has become of massive importance. And what if the club can't land Ronnie (there are definitely some cynics who don't believe in the feasibility of this, but all evidence points to United's desire for their former great -- whether this can happen or not)? Well, according to Mark Ogden of the Daily Telegraph -- yeah, that lad who used to piss off Sir Alex Ferguson due to having the audacity of being accurate with his reporting -- Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski is essentially a 'plan B.'

Undoubtedly, Lewandowski is one of the top six-seven No.9's in the world. In addition, he's only 24-years-old and he perhaps could be had at a cut-rate because he only has a year left on his current contract with the UEFA Champions League's runners-up. However, United have a No.9 that is arguably better than the Poland international in Robin van Persie and this is a player brought in last summer that ended up being a (or the) key player in winning the title this season. In addition, they also have a mercurial and former world-class talent in Wayne Rooney who would love that role -- although he could be sold this summer -- while the club still has other wonderful young striker talents like Javier Hernandez (Chicharito) and Danny Welbeck.

At this point, it's difficult to say with certainty on what will happen with Ronaldo. United's summer activity, though, is likely to be heavily influenced by this and also by Rooney's uncertain situation. Lewandowski, too, clearly desires a move to Bayern. However, according to Ogden's report, it's possible that United is his preferred choice abroad if Dortmund won't sell to their rivals.

As previously mentioned, United don't need any help in their strike force. Even if Rooney departed, this would simply open up more deserving opportunities for Chicharito and Welbeck in behind the world-class van Persie. Even if Lewandowski arrived, how would United accommodate them both? Rotation isn't the answer for two world-class players and their abilities would not compliment each other in Europe -- sure, perhaps they could combine together in a 4-4-2 in England while overwhelming a handful of opponents, however, the team's shape would be vulnerable in 'big games.'

If we hadn't acquired van Persie last summer, and if our new talisman hadn't been so instrumental in us winning back the title this season from Manchester City, the possibility of a Lewandowski move would make great sense. But it doesn't now because the context has changed. If United can't land Ronaldo, they'd be best leaving the pursuit of another goalscorer alone unless it was a versatile attacking-midfielder.

Zaha needs time to settle at Manchester United, says Freedman

The former Crystal Palace winger will link up with his new team for the first time next month as he looks to hit the ground running in his debut Premier League season

Former Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman believes Manchester United must allow new signing Wilfried Zaha time to settle if he is to establish himself at Old Trafford.

Zaha joined United from Palace in January before returning to Selhurst Park on loan and has been one of the most sought-after talents in the country after helping fire his boyhood club into the Premier League via the play-offs.

TRANSFER TALK
11/8	Crystal Palace are 11/8 with BetVictor to stay up next season

Goal revealed on Thursday that David Moyes is yet to decide whether to make the 20-year-old part of his first team plans or loan him out, with West Ham registering their interest in taking him on loan.

But Freedman, under whom Zaha established himself as one of the most exciting talents in the Championship, has backed the Ivory Coast-born winger to make his mark on Old Trafford if he is given the time to do so.

"It took him eight games to establish himself in the Palace first team and eight to 10 games later he was the best player," the Scot told reporters.

"I have no doubt he will take time to settle in but when he does he will show the talent that he has.

"I know his character and he won’t be fazed, David Moyes will see that day-in and day-out."

Zaha scored six goals and provided 10 assists for the Eagles last season, before scoring twice in the play-off semi-final against Brighton and winning the deciding penalty in the final against Watford.

Arsenal & Chelsea fight for sign Wayne Rooney from Man United [Star & Mirror]

The red top are back on top form on Saturday in England as the Star and the Mirror both splash Wayne Rooney’s face on their backpages.
The gossip is straightforward: both Arsenal and Chelsea want to sign the Manchester United striker this summer.
According to David Maddock in the Mirror:
Wayne Rooney will meet David Moyes to decide his Manchester United future next week, with both Chelsea and Arsenal ready to offer him a way out… Rooney and his ­representatives cannot speak with other clubs unless United announce he is available for transfer, but Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger would love to have him aboard.
David Woods in the Star has a slightly different angle, with the hack claiming to know what Wayne Rooney is thinking.
Wayne Rooney wants to join Chelsea if he quits Manchester United this summer. Starsport can reveal representatives of the United ace have told Jose Mourinho Rooney would love to work with him. Arsenal are also looking at putting a package together to land the England striker, who would command wages of around £250,000 a week.
Noticeably, the rumours linking Rooney with a move away from Old Trafford comes just 48 hours after Arsenals’ second biggest shareholder Alisher Usmanov told CNBC about his wish for the Gunners sign the Manchester United striker this summer.
Copies of the back pages of the Star and the Mirror on Saturday can be seen below.