Close Season News Updates

[JK]

I think Nani and Anderson are reasonably cheap and Saviola is out of contract so could come as a free? The would be a number of other clubs who will attempt to get Saviola I'd imagine.

Think you'll find Nani and Anderson have a combined cost of around 30Mil pounds, about as much as the Liverpool owners were prepared to fork out all up this summer.

I'd heard Saviola for about 7Mil, but cant confirm.

[Blue Boy]

JC

Are Man U looking @ signing any true defenders - can leak goals sometimes ???

With Heinze leaving most probably it would be nice to see another quality defender come in to the squad.

[RoosterMarty]

Hopefully Heinze won't leave now because United didn't sign the young Welshman Gareth Bale unfortunately.

[JK]

I reckon this time next year Man U will be turning their attention toward a better keeper also ... Not trying to slag off at Van Der Sar as he's a good keeper, but he has frailties imho and that club is big enough to expect a GREAT keeper in it's lineup.

[devilsadvocate]

Hopefully Heinze won't leave now because United didn't sign the young Welshman Gareth Bale unfortunately.

Common Rooster, it's not unfortunate that Spurs signed him!!!

[RoosterMarty]

He would learn a lot from his countryman Giggsy and I have Welsh heritage so I would have loved to see the young man at Old Trafford, he has wonderful skills.. just make sure you don't ruin the kid


CP they already have Ben Foster on their books who was on loan at Watford this season and looks like a talented young keeper, but I read today he has suffered a knee injury and could miss a lot of next season which is sad if true. VDS is a very good keeper but you are right, he is getting old and made some odd errors last season especially at the end in games away to Pompey and Roma.. luckily they didn't cost us in the end. Fergie is STILL looking for a Schmeichel replacement but sadly I can't see that ever happening.

[smithy]

That's like trying to find a replacement for Gordon Banks........once every 20 years a keeper comes along like that.

In saying that the old 1st Div in England was blessed with some of the best keepers ever all plaing at the one time in the 70's including, Pat Jennings, Ray Clemence and Peter Shilton.

[devilsadvocate]

He would learn a lot from his countryman Giggsy and I have Welsh heritage so I would have loved to see the young man at Old Trafford, he has wonderful skills.. just make sure you don't ruin the kid


CP they already have Ben Foster on their books who was on loan at Watford this season and looks like a talented young keeper, but I read today he has suffered a knee injury and could miss a lot of next season which is sad if true.

We'll just ripen Bale up for you guys just like Carrick.

And yes, Foster has had a recon and will miss the 07/08 season, which is bad news for Paul Robinson

[johntheclaret]

There is so much money in the EPL theses days it's obscene.

How much have Man U been throwing around this season??

They have signed Hargraves, Nani & Anderson, and look set to sign to Saviola ... Still remain linked with players like Owen also.

The difference between Man U and Chelski is the shrewdness of Sir Alex .. He has been the best buyer and seller in the comp for years!

Interesting to read that AC Milan Gaffer Ancelotti reckons they have a HUGE player who wants to play for them and will do so if the contract can be sorted ... He said something like the "Sky would fall down" or "The world would end" if he revealed who it was.

Given he's chasing a striker and midfielder, I wonder if it's Lampard (although he is keen on Henry and Drogba also apparently).

Could be Lampard. He is pissed off at the mo and stalling on signing a new contract.
Could also be Henry although there are loud noises that he might be going to Barca.

[johntheclaret]

I think Nani and Anderson are reasonably cheap and Saviola is out of contract so could come as a free? The would be a number of other clubs who will attempt to get Saviola I'd imagine.

Think you'll find Nani and Anderson have a combined cost of around 30Mil pounds, about as much as the Liverpool owners were prepared to fork out all up this summer.

I'd heard Saviola for about 7Mil, but cant confirm.

Nani and Anserson have cost £34m and you are right, £7m for Saviola has been touted around. Don't forget Hargeaves from Bayern at around £17.5m (Total so far £51.5m). Personally, I don't know how they can afford it.
United pulled in around £150m last year, but paid out in wages alone £87m. This would leave a GP of around £63m before running costs, and non player salaries. (God knows how much Fergie is earning, anyting between £2m and £10m according to the press). This year they will get an additional £20m from increased television revenue, but the Glaziers also borrowed heavily to finance the take over,( latest survey showed United around £150m in debt so they will be paying around £12m a year in interest payments)

[johntheclaret]

I reckon this time next year Man U will be turning their attention toward a better keeper also ... Not trying to slag off at Van Der Sar as he's a good keeper, but he has frailties imho and that club is big enough to expect a GREAT keeper in it's lineup.

C_P, don't forget, they recalled Foster at the end of the season. He is the Engalnd No2 at the moment so would be an ideal replacement for the future. Also got howard out on loan that could come back.

[JK]

RM & JTC .. Yeah I had forgotten about Foster, although his injury would be of concern, I thought the Howard move became permanent this year, hence all the ruckus when Everton didn't play him against Man U late in the season (an agreement regularly in place when a player is on loan, but not when they belong to the club).

I actually think EVS is a much better keeper than Howard, whom I don't particularly rate ... Don't think I've seen better than Schmeical in my time, although I rate Cech as a pretty awesome keeper.

I wonder with Fergie splashing so much cash and building the depth and youngsters at Old Trafford which sales are on the horizon ... I wonder if he's concerned about losing someone like Ronaldo in the next 18 months and is trying to buy adequate coverage now?

[The Real Number 3]

The Howard deal got made permanent, i seem to recall the FA investigating why Howard didnt play against MU at Goodison Park

[smithy]

Lots of punters money going on Thierry Henry moving to Liverpool....

This one could be interesting.

[johntheclaret]

Lots of punters money going on Thierry Henry moving to Liverpool....

This one could be interesting.

Where did you hear this Smithy. Would be good for the EPL if they could keep him and even better for Pool. Benitez has failed to delivery in that position so far and would be a great addition. Would be very suprised if it happens though

[JK]

Lots of punters money going on Thierry Henry moving to Liverpool....

This one could be interesting.

I gotta admit, I haven't heard that one ... Can't see Henry ever playing in the EPL for any club other than Francenal.

Would be ******* awesome if it were to happen though!

[RoosterMarty]

I doubt Henry would play for anyone else in England other than Arsenal.

[smithy]

I doubt Henry would play for anyone else in England other than Arsenal.

I don't think he would either, but here is a link to the story.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=460446&in_page_id=1779&ito=newsnow

[RoosterMarty]

I think it is amazing that you can bet on a player signing on to a team.

[johntheclaret]

I think it is amazing that you can bet on a player signing on to a team.

You can bet on two flies on a wall here mate.

News is b4st4rds are waiting on Benitez to sign a big name striker, so they can get Bellamy back. Announced from Liverpool today that they are close to signing a "big name striker". Shakes has it that it will be Eto'o, as Rafa builds for an assualt on the title next year.

Ironic that they say "a big name striker" and it turns out to be Eto'