Chelsea Wrap Up Mata - Modric to Follow?

As Andre Villas-Boas prepares his Chelsea side for today's game against West Brom with the likes of Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres, Nicolas Anelka and Romelu Lukaku as his attacking options, he will be satisfied with the knowledge that goals will be scored. Worryingly for Chelsea's Premier League rivals the Spanish star, Juan Mata will soon be added to that impressive attacking list of players.

The 23 year-old Spanish winger's move to Arsenal fell through miserably, but Chelsea's new Portuguese manager is confident that he can get a deal tied up soon worth £23.4 million and £2.6 million in add-ons.

Spanish journalist, Guillem Balague announced on Twitter that he has met with Villas-Boas and that the Chelsea manager was positive about a deal, believing it could be wrapped up by Sunday. Balague claimed that the fee has been agreed as well as personal terms with the player.

It is certainly an exciting signing for Chelsea; a young, talented attacker, who has been chased by several top sides, and with bags of potential - it is a big step forward for an older Chelsea side, especially when you consider the recent signing of Lukaku.

Mata will be linking up with his fellow countryman Fernando Torres, with everyone involved with Chelsea hoping that the younger Spaniard will help the elder, former Liverpool star with his goalscoring form. Mata is a tricky, creative and clever winger, who will fit well in Chelsea's 4-3-3 system with two wingers, and with the vision on the ball he holds, goals may be flying at Stamford Bridge.

Even more so if Luka Modric finally agrees to leave Tottenham. Spurs have been consistently persistent with the fact that they will not sell their prized asset, but there is revived talk that a move is on the cards. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson also added fuel to the fire, by saying he has "a feeling" that Tottenham will sell the Croatian midfielder if the right bid were to come in.

We all know Modric's qualities in the midfield. He's one of the best at what he does in the Premier League and has been chased by Manchester United too, but he has set his heart on a move to Chelsea, and the London club are more than happy to take him in.

Modric's quick thinking and creativity as well as his amazing ability to control a game would make Chelsea the team to beat in the Premier League if all goes well for them. Manchester United have been reluctant to buy in midfield, and Arsenal have lost Fabregas and are about to lose Nasri - two of their most influential players.

If Chelsea can get hold of Mata and Modric, they will have a fantastically talented, creative midfield, and add the old with the new at the club, it may turn out to be a formidable combination.

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Is Modric worth £35m & More?

Written by a DBS Football guess writer - A Chelsea Fan

Luka Modric's much publicized desparation to leave White Hart Lane for West London has been of vested interest to all Chelsea supporters, but is he really worth the £35m or more that Harry Redknapp is demanding "ease the pain" of Modric leaving?

A first important factor which determines this astronomical sum of money is the long term contract in which modric signed last year (2010) with the Spurs that is supposed to keep him at the club until 2016. This inevitably has risen his price considerably and is something Modric has done previously at Dinamo Zagreb. At he Croation side, he signed a 10 year contract before boarding a plane and flying across Europe to sign for Tottenham two years later. Modric's loyalty is therefore bought into question.

His impact on the pitch may statistically be questioned when considering that in 110 appearances for Tottenham in all competitions, he has only been credited for 16 assists and 12 goals and therefore surely not justifying such a vast amount of money.

In comparison, another midfielder wanting away from North London is Arsenal's Samir Nasri. In his 109 appearances for Arsenal he has 13 assists and 27 goals, meaning that perhaps Nasri would be a more shrewd move for Andre Villas Boas than Luka Modric.

However, it is important to note that with Modric's slick varied range of passing, amazingly quick feet and creative ability helped Tottenham Hotspur to a credible 5th place in the Premier League and advanced stages of the Champions League and those factors cannot be put into statistics. It is these qualities that Chelsea need to acquire if they are to one again be Premier League champions.

Written by a DBS Football guess writer - A Chelsea Fan

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Manchester United Fans Choose Sneijder

The fans have spoken. As Sir Alex Ferguson continues to deny the interest in Wesley Sneijder, we are continued to be told of Manchester United's interest. Sneijder is also said to have realised the massive opportunity that joining United would be, and it seems the Manchester United fans have made the Dutch midfielder their favourite to replace Paul Scholes.

The poll, asking who Manchester United should buy for central midfield, has been on the site throughout the transfer window and gathered 913 votes, with 494 for Sneijder, followed with 264 votes for Arsenal's Samir Nasri.

Luka Modric came third with 177 votes, followed by Bastien Schweinsteiger with 164. All of the players mentioned have been linked to United in one way or the other, but Inter Milan's Sneijder is certainly the favourite to join Manchester United and step into Paul Scholes's boots.

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Sneijder to Manchester United Deal Almost Done

Minutes after writing about the rumour that Manchester United may use Nani as bait to Inter Milan in an attempt to bring Wesley Sneijder to Old Trafford, the Daily Mail claim that a £35 million deal for Wesley Sneijder is almost done and dusted.

According to the paper, Manchester United's Chief Executive, David Gill, met with Inter executives at the European Club Association in Zurich yesterday, in which he expressed United's willingness to pay the Italian club £35 million for Sneijder. They claim that the Glazer family - the family that owns United - have sanctioned Sir Alex Ferguson the money to spend on the Dutch play maker as a replacement for Paul Scholes.

Apparently, despite Inter's reluctance to sell their prized asset, the offered amount from United is too big a bid to turn down, and is enough to persuade them to let Sneijder go. In another bonus for United, the Mail claim that instead of Sneijder being paid the reported fees of £250,000 a week or £200,000 a week, the player has compromised and United have instead agreed to pay him £190,000 a week, which leaves Wayne Rooney untouched as United's highest paid player.

It does seem a little to good to be true, and is by no means confirmation that Sneijder is now very soon to be a Manchester United player, but the Daily Mail must surely get their information from somewhere. Either they have completely made up this story - which is very possible - or there is some truth behind it, and Sneijder is closer to a Manchester United move than he was before. Though I urge all United fans to remain pessimistic until the player is unveiled next to Sir Alex Ferguson with a Manchester Untied shirt in his hands. 

In other news, Luka Modric has handed in a formal transfer request to Tottenham Hotspur in another attempt to leave the club for Chelsea, who have now placed two bids for him. Modric was apparently lied to by the Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, who told Modric earlier in his Tottenham career that if a club like Chelsea were to come in with a bid, it would be considered. Levy's handling of the situation, i.e: not listening to any offers has made Modric, a former target of Manchester United, even more determined to leave.

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Man United - £200k a Week Contract For Sneijder

Ashley Young and Phil Jones are already done deals for Manchester United, with the Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea soon to follow now that his successful European Under-21 campaign is over. But will anyone else follow them through the Old Trafford doors to be welcomed by a warm handshake from Sir Alex Ferguson? A central midfielder is expected from the fans, and United's interest in several players in that position has been well documented, Wesley Sneijder included, and it has emerged today that there is only one real stumbling block - and it isn't the £35 million asking price.

No, Manchester United have the money in the bank to afford such a signing, and are prepared to splash the cash to replace Paul Scholes. £35 million for the 27 year-old Dutchman is certainly expensive, and would be United's record signing above Dimitar Berbatov, but Sir Alex Ferguson would be willing to spend that amount on the Inter Milan star, who has proven himself at the very top level in Italy, in Europe and at the World Cup. Sir Alex is a known fan.

The problem here though, is Sneijder's demands of £200,000 per week - £30,000 more than he earns with Inter. Another slight problem is that United are not the only club interest, because their Manchester rivals City are, and would have no problems in paying those wages. Sneijder is said to prefer a move to United though, so if there was a straight choice for the attacking midfielder, United would surely be the winner, even if the wages offered were slightly lower.

Manchester United's current top earner is Wayne Rooney - his highly publicised contract saga ending with him receiving a contract worth £180,000 a week plus another £90,000 for image rights, equalling £250,000 a week. United are clearly willing to spend big on their most important and most valuable players, and Sneijder would certainly be classed as an important an valuable player if he were to join United.

Ashley Young will be receiving around £130,000 a week when he starts playing for United which raised a few eyebrows among United fans who weren't expecting a signing who plays on the wing. Sir Alex has his reasons, and Young is added to the United wage bill which stands at £132 million a year, but will Sneijder?

There has been a huge rise in footballers wages ever since 1961, when the Football League decided to abolish the wage cap, allowing the then England captain Johnny Haynes become the first £100 a-week player. Clubs have since tried to maintain their own club wage caps, but very few last in modern football, with the biggest and best players demanding astronomical salaries, giving the players the ability to hold their clubs to ransom over a contract.

In 2000, 39 years after the wage cap was removed, Roy Keane became Manchester United's top earner, on £52,000 a week and just four years later, he was on almost double that amount, with him being paid £100,000 per week. It has been a rapid growth, and with more and more investors willing to pay the money, wages will continue to grow - and continue to become a problem for prospective buying clubs such as United.

If United have made Sneijder their number one target it is true, £200,000 may be an issue, but United could pay that amount if it came to it. Of course, if a bid for Sneijder is accepted by Inter, it will be down to the player as to how much he will accept to leave for in wages. Other midfield targets could prove cheaper weekly, with Luka Modric currently earning £50,000 at Tottenham, Samir Nasri earning £80,000 a week at Arsenal and Bastien Schweinsteiger earning just under £100,000 at Bayern Munich.

This Paul Scholes replacement will come at a price, both in a transfer fee and in a weekly wage. Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson will be looking for value for money, and it is up to Sir Alex to decide if £200,000 a week and £35 million provides him with the value. What do you think?

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A Growing Disillusionment With The Transfer Window

It's only been a few weeks since the summer transfer window opened, and already there have enough rumours and football gossip to last a couple of hundred life-times and more. Every day, football fans are bombarded with them. After all, what else is there to write about and report when the football season is over? The England Under 21's? Sure, but it's just a little depressing reading about the future of our footballing nation once again flailing miserably by the wayside while our international rivals rise above us again and again, leaving us with nothing but a disgusting but familiar taste of disappointment and discontent in our mouths.

A far more uplifting and interesting read for many (it is thought) is to see your side linked to the top players in the world, or at least better players than you already have. It's always encouraging and promising to see your side build for the future, preparing to challenge for a trophy or two and of course, to overcome your local rivals. So transfer rumours have become the antidote for that emptiness we feel when we are without football.

Open the back page of your daily tabloid and they'll come swarming at you like angry wasps, determined to sink their sharp, poisonous stinger into your skin, a skin so easily penetrated and a mind so easily poisoned, that many of these wasp-like transfer rumours are believed by the masses. 

What may start off as a rumour, grows rapidly, quickly and convincingly, into a few thousand columns of printed news in the papers, on websites, on blogs like this one, and on everybody's eager and excited lips. There is a buzz. But not the buzz of the wasps, no, because you've already been poisoned by the bug, this buzz is a buzz of excitement. 

Will Nasri join Manchester United from arch rivals Arsenal? Could it possibly happen? Will Samba leave Blackburn for Arsenal? Will Phil Jones move? And what about City? They have bundles of money, who are they going to spend it on? Sanchez? Messi? Will Inter sell Sneijder? Will Roman Abramovich appoint himself Chelsea manager? Will Arsene Wenger invest some money in the Arsenal team? Will Liverpool attempt to buy every Englishman under 21? 

What do you do when you hear a rumour? Well, what can you do? You can only either dismiss it as absolute nonsense, not worthy of a seconds thought, or you can spread it to the masses, shout the rumours from the metaphorical roof-tops of social networking sites such as Twitter, and get as many people poisoned by the rumours as possible.

Statistically speaking, the NOTW produce on average around 6 rumours per day, with the success rate a lowly 13.9%. Meanwhile, the most successful in predicting the transfers is the Daily Record followed by The Guardian, who have a success rate of 32.9% and 32.7% respectively. 

Of course, newspapers which report the news and websites which are often solely created to circulate transfer rumours are bound to get a certain amount of them wrong - we can't all be right all the time. It is, after all their job to report any possible activity on the transfer front, with many claiming insider knowledge (which many people, especially on Twitter seem to despise), when it comes to transfers. However, very often people add two with two and get seven. 

The fact is, one rumour can create a domino effect of other rumours, some believable, some completely unbelievable. For example, Manchester United are looking for a new central midfielder to replace Paul Scholes, and this story has led to dozens of rumours which the majority will most certainly turn out to be untrue.

First it was Arsenal's Samir Nasri. He hadn't committed his future to Arsenal, and didn't answer a straight question when asked about United. 

Then it was Sneijder - a very possible transfer move, only fuelled by rumours of how much he would cost and whether he wanted to stay, or if Inter were willing to let him go. 

Then there is Diarra of Real Madrid "reportedly" told that he will be nothing but a squad player for Real Madrid next season - he is looking for an escape route.

Then there was Pato Rodriguez, whose father had spread rumours of United's interest. 

Then there is Javeir Pastore, another "United target". 

Finally, (perhaps) there is Modric, who happens to not want to play for Tottenham any more, is looking for European football, and is currently owned by the club who sold United their last big name signing, who has recently said he won't be signing an extension to his United contract and could possibly be used as a make-weight for a Modric transfer.

All rumours. Manchester United will not sign every one of those players, and that is a fact. Are Manchester United interested in all of these players? Maybe, but who knows? It's all speculation, which once again supports the point that rumours lead to more rumours which lead to more speculation. This leads to built up hopes and in the end, a huge disappointment when no deal happens.

The transfer window can be fun and exciting, and it is a time for deals, yes, but speculation, deliberation and lies as well. It leaves people dissatisfied and frustrated, wishing they hadn't bought into those rumours as much as they had, and wondering why we believe them in the first place. It seems obvious, but unless there are quotes to back a story up, lets be cautious to believe it, and we will be far less frustrated by the constant influx of transfer rumours everywhere we look.

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Modric: "I want to Leave Tottenham"...but Stay In London

Manchester United and Chelsea's prime target this season has confirmed that he wants to leave his club, Tottenham. Luka Modric confirmed the news to the Mail on his holiday boat, but in a big blow to Manchester United's chances of signing him, said that he wanted to stay in London whilst praising Chelsea, their players and the whole Chelsea set-up. Modric said:

"I want to leave Tottenham as friends. I have enjoyed my time there, but now it is right for me to look at another club." 

"I have an arrangement with the chairman. When I signed my new contract, he said that, if another club came to sign me, they would consider the offer." 

"Chelsea are a big club with an  ambitious owner. They have great players and they have ambitions to fight for the title and win the Champions League." 

"I want to stay in  London. I am very happy here and so are my  family. I like the city."

"I don’t want to have an argument with Tottenham. The supporters have been very good to me and I have enjoyed my time playing for the club, but it is for football that players leave clubs and move. It has happened to Tottenham before. It is normal for a player to dream about playing for a bigger club."

"If somebody comes to the club and the offer is good for me and  acceptable to them, then I want to leave. It has to be good for my ambition. It has to be a club who are winning titles and playing in the Champions League." 

"This is not about money, it is about  ambition. When I came to England, I was dreaming about winning titles. That is still the same." 

"Tottenham are a big club, with good players and a good manager, but I want to fight for the championship. Spurs will always have a place in my heart. My experiences in the  Champions League have left me with the desire for more."

"I need to talk with the chairman. I won’t ask for a transfer, no. That would be disrespectful. I hope they can reach an agreement (with another club) that is satisfactory for everyone. I am on holiday, but I need to speak and to see if I can find a solution to this."

It is a big blow for Tottenham, but Manchester United still have a decent chance of snapping up the Croatian. Chelsea re currently the only side to have placed a bid for the player, so it is understandable that he has had his head turned by them, but if United were to equal or up the bid, it would give the player a choice - a difficult choice. Chelsea do have their location on their side, but United have the challenge of stepping into Paul Scholes's boots and making a name for himself at the biggest club in England.

Read my evaluation of Luka Modric's qualities (as if you need to) and a small comparison to Paul Scholes here.

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Comparing Luka Modric to Paul Scholes: Chalkboard

"Unbelievable", "magnificent", "an amazing footballer"; all words to describe just one diminutive Croatian midfielder who has been quietly weaving his magic at White Hart Lane, a hugely underrated talent of stunning quality and precision in both passing and creativity. Now, he is wanted, perhaps even needed by two of the biggest clubs in England, and although his price at first glance may be considered astronomical, at £35 million, Luka Modric could become the ideal replacement for a retiring footballer, considered by Manchester United as simply priceless in Paul Scholes.

Manchester United's search for a replacement for the midfield maestro is ongoing, with various possibilities offered in generous portions by the worlds media through speculation and transfer gossip. Luka Modric is one of United's prime targets, and it is clear to see why. 

The 25 year-old is a player who, in the centre of the field can do close to anything he wants. His passing is precise and his vision is superb, while he remains tenacious in the tackle and determined on a run. He is supremely intelligent, with an attacking mind similar to that of Scholes himself, as he can spot a team mates run or movement almost telepathically. Indeed, this man is a special talent and one that could unlock the future for Manchester United, both in the Premier League and in Europe, as he pulls the strings in a midfield in dire need of a player with the perfect balance of creativity.

Modric would have huge boots to fill at Manchester United, with Paul Scholes's talents quite stunning, as can be seen from the chalkboard below. Scholes rarely misplaced a pass, and often orchestrated how the game was played. 97 passes, and only ten didn't reach their intended target; it's a marvellous record.

As Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher are more than capable of filling that more defensive role in midfield, one in which the dirty work is done and the ball is won, Luka Modric can do what he has been doing since his career began. He can push forward freely, spreading the play from the left and the right, as well as forcing balls down the middle into the danger area of in and around the penalty box. With his steely composure on the ball, Modric has the ability to control the play on his terms, and command the attacking play, while getting back in his own half to defend when needed.

Paul Scholes's passing was immense throughout his career.  Havin attempted 97 passes, with 87 successful, he was a master at passing, all over the pitch at various different ranges. Keeping the ball was his speciality, and it will take someone special, someone similar at least, to replace him - Luka Modric perhaps?

Luka Modric is not so bad at passing himself. A central midfielder, a play maker, Modric's versatility allows him to drift from one side to another, with this chalkboard showing him predominantly on the left hand side, working to create chanced for his team mates. 90 attempted passes, with only 11 unsuccessful is outstanding, like Scholes.

He is a skilful and very technical player, and while he isn't always the one who scores the goals, nor the one who always assists them, he most certainly creates the chance and enables the attack to happen in the first place. His intuitive passing often sets up, creates and commands the attack; an ability rare in midfield players today. 

With a player like Modric in Manchester United's midfield, everything would become so much more seamless, with Rooney being helped out in the creative side of play, enabling United to utilise the Englishman far more on the attacking capabilities, saving his energy and helping him to score more goals with Hernandez. Modric's versatility of playing deep and further forward would be a breath of fresh air in the middle, and with his aforementioned ability could work alongside his midfield pair in balancing out the United team perfectly.

£35 million and £40 million seems a lot of money for one player, but with few alternatives, and having been proven in the Premier League, Luka Modric would be a fantastic addition to any squad, especially Manchester United's. But will Tottenham let their prized possession go?

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Arsenal Bid For Manchester United Target

I'm not sure whether I refer to Douglas Costa as a Manchester United target, or a former Manchester United target, but either way, he is definitely a target of United's Premier League rivals Arsenal, after the Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger saw a bid for the Brazilian midfielder rejected by Shakhtar Donetsk.

Douglas Costa was thought to be seen at Old Trafford at a game of United against Bolton back in March, but this has since been proven practically impossible, as the player was due to play back in Ukraine for Shakhtar the next day. However, you may be seeing the player at the Emirates next season quite regularly if Arsenal are to up their bid for the 20 year-old attacking midfielder.

The Brazilian's agent confirmed yesterday that Arsenal placed a bid for Douglas, but it was rejected by Shakhtar on the grounds that they wanted money rather than a swap deal involving Arsenal's Brazilian midfielder Denilson. The players agent, Cesar Bottega said:

"The Gunners have offered the club Denilson in exchange for Douglas but Shakhtar said no. They are not interested in Denilson and would want only money."

Douglas was a regular at the Ukrainian club last season, playing 42 games in total, and scoring 7 goals. Manchester Untied tracked the player since his time at the Brazilian side Gremio and apparently bid for him, but Gremio instead opted for a sale to Shakhtar, who have also been reluctant to sell to United for a few million pounds, so a Denilson offer was hardly going to sway their stance.

This news comes after Arsenal's reported interest in another of Shakhtar's players, Willian, who TalkSport claimed Arsenal had  "made an approach for".  In this apparent interest in Willian, Arsenal attempted to throw Denilson (again) into a possible deal, with a few million cash. Arsenal are reportedly awaiting a reply, but require one soon, preferably before the week-end, reports say.

Manchester United will have been made aware of Arsenal's interest in their former/current transfer target, Douglas Costa but United currently have larger fish to fry, with two or three separate battles occurring between some of the top teams in the world for all of Luka Modric, Wesley Sneijder and Alexis Sanchez. 

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Comparing Charlie Adam To Paul Scholes: Chalkboard

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Sir Alex Ferguson has a momentous task in replacing one of the greatest midfielder of his generation in Paul Scholes. It is a task which may turn Ferguson's grey hair a little whiter whilst doing quite a bit of damage to United's bank balance for transfers. This is a task, which unfortunately, will not be completed with £12 million for Charlie Adam.

Manchester United have recently been linked to the 25 year-old Scottish midfielder, who is a big target for Liverpool, and has been since January, but Sir Alex has reportedly showing a genuine interest in bringing the Blackpool "play-maker" to Old Trafford. Now, when I was watching Blackpool throughout the season, sure Charlie Adam stood out as their most effective player, and one who often posed a real threat to the opposition with his ambitious range of passing, but nothing awe inspiring was present, not much "Paul Scholes quality".

I don't have anything against the guy, but when United are linked to a central midfielder, especially in this transfer window, you will expect them to play at a very high standard, week in, week out. While Adam did his best to keep his club in the Premier League last season, Paul Scholes continued to do what he had been doing for 17 season's at Manchester United; keeping the ball, creating chances and playing like a superb Spaniard, all for the biggest team in the world on the biggest footballing stage in the world.

Below is a chalkboard of Charlie Adam and his passing pattern in a game in which he was considered man of the match against Aston Villa in February. He attempted 77 passes in 90 minutes, 43 of which were successful, and 33 of which were unsuccessful, as well as one assist from a corner. Sir Alex Ferguson has said that Adam's set pieces alone are worth £10 million - an interesting statement considering United's apparent £12 million bid...

Now this is where it gets interesting. Paul Scholes, who was coming to the end of his career in May, against Blackpool, had a far different record in terms of passing inside 90 minutes than Charlie Adam. A far superior one. Remember, this is a player who in a recent rare interview questioned whether he was still good enough and was playing well enough in the Manchester United side to be worthy to continue at all. He decided the response was negative. The chalkboard below contradicts with the humble opinion of himself.

Just look at all of those blue arrows - successful passes. It is a wonder, a joy to behold for a football fan to see what a quality player Paul Scholes is both on the field and on paper. 84 passes were attempted by the midfield maestro, 78 of which were successful - thats more than Adam even attempted, and only 6 were unsuccessful. It was simply, a passing master class, a show of pure, footballing quality that Manchester United must replace to progress.

This is a pattern in Scholes's play which would have been repeated every time he stepped onto the football pitch last season, and all of the other seasons before that. He had a consistency, even at the age of 36 that was just unbelievable. Sometimes, his passing across the field was so accurate, so pinpoint, it defied belief, as well as his lethal, cutting vision through defences, topped off with a couple of stunning long range efforts, or goals from determined, timed runs into the box, predominantly earlier in his career at United.

Is Charlie Adam the man to replace Paul Scholes? From this, and from the overwhelming negative response from Manchester United fans to even the link of United with Adam, it is a resounding no. Unfortunately, a £12 million Blackpool player and Liverpool target is not good enough by a long shot to replace a Manchester United legend with a passing pedigree to challenge the best in the world. Then again, very few are.

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VOTE: Who Should Man United Buy For Central Midfield?

Who Should Manchester United Buy for Central Midfield?

Manchester United have already been busy in the transfer market this summer, with Phil Jones having signed and Ashley Young and David de Gea expected to follow very soon. However, there remains a position that needs to be filled; the central midfield. With Paul Scholes deciding to retire, and Manchester United selling Darron Gibson to Sunderland for £5 million, the central role (mainly Scholes's position) has been left miserably vacant.

Who do you think Manchester United should sign to fill that gap and add the quality needed to help Manchester United to success at both domestic level and European level? The main names who have been linked with United have been listed, including Tottenham's Luka Modric, Arsenal's Samir Nasri, Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder, Roma's Daniele De Rossi, and Bayern Munich's Bastien Schweinsteiger. Who, realistically, would you like to see in the Manchester United side?

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Modric "will not go to Manchester United"

Replacing Paul Scholes comes at a price. His 17 seasons of service at Manchester United are now proving very difficult to replace for Sir Alex Ferguson who faces a dilemma in his transfer targets, especially when his two prime targets to replace Scholes seem unavailable and viewed as priceless by their respective clubs. Modric and Sneijder are the two men prominently linked with United, charged with the job of stepping into Scholes's influential and game changing boots, but as they remain such important players in Tottenham and Inter Milan's squads, it really will be a hard job for United to prize them out of the clubs grasps.

With speculation rife at this point of the year, it is unsurprising that there will be inaccuracies in reports, with the recent report that Tottenham would allow Modric to leave for £20 million. This seemed highly unlikely, in fact it seemed an impossible thought to think that the Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy would even consider this price, especially when you take into account that the club bought him for only £3.5 million under that. I would imagine that if Tottenham were to sell, it would be double the £16.6 paid for him in 2008.


Luka Modric's advisor, Mario Mamic, who it is assumed has insider knowledge behind the scenes at Whit Hart Lane, especially involving Modric is highly doubtful of any transfer taking place. He believed Modric will stay at Tottenham this summer, especially when the rumoured £20 million bid is being circled, which he describes as "peanuts". He told a Croation newspaper:

"Luka will not go to Manchester United and he will also stay at Tottenham because I know that president Daniel Levy."

"I heard that somebody has offered £20m pounds for Luka but that's crazy. When we talk about Modric, that price would only be enough to buy peanuts."

Pretty conclusive if you ask me, and despite managers always reluctant to let go of their best players, Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham manager has not broken the code by absolutely denying that he will be allowing his top players go in the summer. Gareth Bale and Sandro who have also been linked to top clubs with big money, are not going anywhere according the Redknapp who insists that Spurs are not a selling side, but instead want to build a team to challenge for those top places. He said:

"We are not selling Luka, we are not selling Gareth and we are not selling Sandro. We are looking to build a team at Tottenham, not dismantle one."

"If we're going to push on as a football club we need to keep them players and we need to add one or two other top players to them if we're looking to have a chance of ever getting back in the Champions League again."

He also found the prospect of selling Modric for £20 million ridiculous. In fact the Spurs manager would not put a price on the player at all, which is understandable, as the news would be all over it and everyone would suddenly consider Modric up for sale and so on. He does not want to sell his top player, end of:

"So we're not looking to sell them players - that would be a massive backward step for the club. £20 million for Luka? They've got to be dreaming, he's such a fantastic player."

"You know, we've enquired about players and we're getting quoted more than that for people that couldn't lace his boots so it's not a goer. I wouldn't put a value on him, I wouldn't want to sell him. He's one of those boys every day you come into work for me, and that's what it's about now."

United will either have to up any bid significantly for Modric or have to find a new target to chase. No deal seems close at all, so Sir Alex Ferguson's search for the replacement continues.

Modric to Manchester United? The Likelihood Of A Move.

Paul Scholes's inevitable departure has been announced, and as Manchester United reflect on the wonderful achievements that Paul Scholes has reached in his 17 years at the club, Sir Alex Ferguson will have to start looking seriously, if he hasn't already, for his replacement. Scholes's retirement was described as an "absolute tragedy" by Sir Bobby Charlton, and millions of United fans all over the world paid their respects to a fantastic career of the 36 year old United star, so whoever comes in will have big boots to fill.

Luka Modric has been mentioned more than a few times in connection with Manchester United, but most reports from inside the clubs or with insider knowledge seem to think that any deal is highly unlikely. The Tottenham manager recently said that he would not sell the Croation midfielder for £100 million or even a a billion pounds - a comment that should be taken with a pinch of salt as that sort of money would buy a football club.

However, Modric has a contract with the London club until 2016 so he would cost a lot of money for any club, presumably somewhere in the region of £25-35 million. Despite a possibly huge transfer fee, there remains a small possibility that Modric could make a move to Old Trafford if he is made a prime target by Sir Alex Ferguson. A Manchester United insider said a few weeks ago that the United manager has been given substantial transfer funds and "what Sir Alex wants, Sir Alex will get", so if Ferguson really is after Modric he will put up a serious fight to get him, which is promising for United fans keen for a quick replacement for the legendary Paul Scholes.

The 25 year old recently stated that although happy at Tottenham, if an offer were to come in for him there was every possibility that he could move:

"Everybody wants to know what will happen with me. I'm trying to stay calm as my national team has a really important match coming."

"So I will tell you the same as all ways - my club status is the same as it was before. But of course, if there will be an offer which will be good for Tottenham and for me also, then a transfer is of course possible."

"That doesn't mean that I'm bothered with leaving Tottenham - I'm not thinking about that every hour and every minute. I'm happy at White Hart Lane - my status is great, the fans like me and I do have everything I need."

"But then again - when you experience playing in Champions League, you want to keep playing in this tournament."

So from this we can take that although he is happy and comfortable at White Hart Lane, the lure of Champions League football and bigger success would certainly turn his head. If Manchester United were to show a real interest and place a bid on the table, and Modric were to kick up a fuss about a move, it would put Tottenham in a difficult situation despite having him tied down to a long contract.

They would not want to keep a player against his wishes and the amount of money that could be offered is substantial - at least a £9 million profit - possibly £19 million profit after buying him for £16 million from Zagreb in 2008.

There is also talk that Tottenham are already looking for a replacement for Modric, in the form of another Dinamo Zagreb Croation, Milan Badelj. Zagreb are apparently asking for £8.5 million for the 22 year-old deep-lying play-maker, and may have to move fast due to interest from several other clubs including Wolfsburg and CSKA Moscow.

Tottenham may just be adding to their ranks in the hope winning back that Champions League place next season, but there is also a real possibility that this is an insurance policy just in case they are forced into letting Modric go.

Chelsea are also said to be interested in Modric, and some say that a move to Chelsea is more likely as the player does not favour a move all the way to Manchester but would rather stay in London where he is settled. It may seem obvious, but any deal comes down to a significant offer and Tottenham's willingness to sell - but an offer must be significant.

Tottenham may be purposely reluctant to sell to Manchester United, who have purchased a good few of the clubs best players in the past, including Michael Carrick and more recently, Dimitar Berbatov. However, other rumours state that the unsettled Berbatov, who was left out of United's Champions League final squad could be used as a make weight in a deal; possibly £20 million plus Berbatov.

As you can see, there are quite a few possibilities, so we shall have to wait and see what happens in the transfer market, however, I tend to side with the pessimists on this one; despite United and Chelsea's obvious interest and funds, Tottenham will put up a fight to keep him - he is the hub of the team and could prove invaluable.

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Sir Alex Has "Substantial" Funds for Big Name Players

The Manchester United owners may be supremely unpopular at Old Trafford, with the majority of United fans wanting the American family to leave as soon as possible, but they have apparently given the go ahead to a big summer of signings for Sir Alex Ferguson.

Reports suggest that the clubs bank account will rise to £169 million due to huge profits this season thanks to massive sponsorship deals. This will be added to the £80 million from the Ronaldo sale which is largely still unspent, and it adds to a very healthy transfer fund for Sir Alex to do with it what he pleases. One insider said: "What Sir Alex wants, Sir Alex will get."

Of course, the transfer policy will remain the same; young players with big potential and a decent resale value is what the Glazers and Ferguson have agreed on, with only one player in the past 14 years having been over 27 and cost more than £3.2 million - Dimitar Berbatov.

And with United set to have raked in a whopping £50 million from their Champions League journey if they beat Barcelona on Saturday, it is understandable that the Glazers are said to be "relaxed" about the United manager bringing in at least one marquee name to the squad.

After the sale of Ronaldo and the departure of Tevez in quick succession, doubts were raised, if they weren't already about the Glazers long term ambition with United. Wayne Rooney needed the persuasion of a mega money weekly contract renewal to convince him of that ambition, and he must have been told about the funding Sir Alex had when they had those crunch meetings about his future.

The United chief executive has said again and again when questioned that Sir Alex has money at his disposal, doing his utmost to defend the Glazer ownership and handling of the club. This summer may be the summer in which these claims are supported with the showing of cash and the purchasing of players who will be brought in to help United to further success.

The last time United spent substantially was back in 2007 when Nani, Anderson and Owen Hargrevaes were brought in for around £17 million each. Injuries have been a big downer on Hargreaves and Andersons success, with Hargreaves recently released, but Anderson and Nani have begun to show what they are capable of - especially the latter.

United have already confirmed the purchase of Athletico Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea as replacement for Edwin van der Sar, for a reported fee of £18-20 million. Rumours circulating about other players include interest in Aston Villa's Ashley Young, Arsenal's Samir Nasri, Tottenham's Luka Modric and Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder.

I hear that a deal for Ashley Young is close, while the situation with Arsenal's Nasri is that due to his close expiring contract, his agent has leaked United "interest" to the media in the hope that Arsenal will act by offering Nasri and new, improved contract. Modric and Sneijder would indeed be marquee signings, but would perhaps cost too much.

Despite the big money signings being rumoured, Sir Alex could always look to his youth side, and with a few exciting young talents coming through may decide to slowly begin to integrate them more in the team, much like he did with the class of 1992.

Nevertheless, the funds are there for Sir Alex to spend, and whether he raids Arsenal for Nasri, tests Inter Milans resolve for Sneijder, or tempts Luka Modric with Champions League football is down to him. United fans should confidently leave it all in his very capable hands.

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