Gossip: Who’s On The Move Today? …
Mail: Ferguson is planning more signings ahead of the new campaign but will not be moving for Michael Owen or Jermain Defoe and is unlikely to try to lure Carlos Tevez from West Ham.
Tevez’s goalscoring feats last season, including an Old Trafford winner on a dramatic final day, took Ferguson’s eye, and it is understood he would consider taking the Argentina forward on loan. But with owner Kia Joorabchian looking to recoup some of his investment, and Real Madrid apparently ready to offer £25m, another temporary move appears unlikely.
Ferguson has also been told he has to offload before adding to his summer signings. There is a £6m Middlesbrough bid for Alan Smith on the table but the player is expected to reject the move when he returns from holiday next week.
Everton have expressed interest in winger Kieran Richardson, and United will be hoping the Goodison Park club still have enough funds, after completing their anticipated £4m signing of Sheffield United’s Phil Jagielka, to follow up with a move for long-term target Smith.
Liverpool are ready to try to hijack Real Madrid’s £6m move for United defender Gabriel Heinze. Real look to have edged ahead of Juventus in the race for Heinze, but Liverpool could now present him with an opportunity to stay in the Premiership after earmarking him for their problem left back spot.
Manager Rafa Benitez is considering lodging a bid but is aware that United may be reluctant to sell to one of their main rivals for honours next season.
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Sky: Carlos Tevez is to delay any decision on his future until the completion of Argentina’s involvement in the Copa America.
The diminutive forward is currently in Venezuela on international duty, but that has not stopped a plethora of column inches being dedicated to where he could pitch up at next season.
Following his exploits last term, it is no surprise his current employers West Ham are eager to keep him at Upton Park, but they face fierce competition from a host of Europe’s top sides.
It does, though, look likely that Tevez will remain in England and the Premier League, with Internazionale having already seen their advances rebuffed.
Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool have all been linked with an approach for the gifted 23-year-old, but his advisor, Kia Joorabchian, insists no deal will be struck until after the Copa America.
“Carlos is playing in the Copa America at the moment and that is where his prime focus is,” confirmed Joorabchian.
“It is a big competition and we intend talking more seriously about his future when that tournament is over.
“At the moment there is no development.”
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BBC:Everton are ready to enter the race for Manchester United’s Alan Smith if he is allowed to leave Old Trafford.
Smith, 26, has not been offered a new deal and is expected to be sold before the start of the season.
Middlesbrough are understood to have offered £6m, while Sunderland and Spurs have also been linked with Smith.
Everton boss David Moyes has him on a list of potential transfer targets that also includes Sheffield United’s Phil Jagielka and West Brom’s Jason Koumas.
Moyes’ attempts to buy Smith would be improved if he can sell struggling striker James Beattie.
Smith battled back from a broken leg to play last season, but the expected offer of a new deal at Old Trafford has not materialised.
United team-mate Kieran Richardson is also a possible target for Moyes as he attempts to strengthen his squad before the start of the new season.
Smith said recently: “If the manager tells me he wants me, I’m there for him. If he doesn’t, it’s time to move on.
“If you’re no longer wanted, then you have to consider your options. I want to be out there from the start.”
He revealed his future now lay in Ferguson’s hands, saying: “If they are going to sell me, I’d like to know. But I won’t find out unless I get to speak to the manager.”
Smith, signed from Leeds United for £7m three years ago, has two years left on his current deal.
He battled back from serious injury to play last season and also win an England recall, and now wants regular action.
