The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies
Luis Fabiano to Manchester United
While Michael Owen stories have dominated today’s back pages, The Daily Mirror claim that Manchester United are offering Sevilla £16 million to try to beat AC Milan to the signing of Brazil striker Fabiano.
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Fans probably wouldn’t be too happy to see Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez replaced solely by Antonio Valencia and Owen so it is plausible, especially considering the latter’s injury record, that Sir Alex Ferguson will want another attacking option.
Yuri Zhirkov to Chelsea
Chelsea completed their first summer signing last night, bringing in Middlesbrough’s reserve keeper Ross Turnbull - who conceded seven goals
Will the Red Devils regret taking on the First Class striker?
After beating off the advances of Stoke and Hull using a stick with a piece of dog poo on the end, Michael Owen yesterday found himself on the brink of a move to Manchester Utd.
Sir Alex Ferguson is said to have studied the Wasserman glossy brochure in great detail, and depending on which paper you read, will offer the Championship striker between £20,000 and £50,000-a-week, with added bonuses for not being injured.
According to Sky Sports, Owen has just passed a medical at the club. So it looks like this thing is really going to happen.
But is the man who is not deemed worthy of a place in the England squad worthy of the Premier League champions? On the one hand, he is a relatively low financial risk and is a proven finisher, particularly when paired with Wayne Rooney. However, his constant injuries and wonky form could easily put him on the Forlan/Saha/Smith flop list. Also, few Utd fans will roll out the welcome mat for a player who once said this:
“In an ideal world, and in the long term, I want to help Liverpool become the most successful club in the world again.”
Let us know whether you think Owen will prove to be a Cantona-style bargain or another of Fergie’s regrettable acquisitions below…
Could the former Liverpool striker be heading to Old Trafford?
If the bookmakers are to be believed, Manchester United could be on the verge of filling the Carlos Tevez sized gap in their squad with a striker who is sincere, clean & fresh and, most importantly of all, first class.
The Red Devils are now down to evens with Sky Bet to sign former Newcastle forward Michael Owen, having previously been available at 20/1.
Coincidentally, Karim Benzema’s move to Real Madrid prompted discussion in The Spoiler office yesterday about the possibility of Sir Alex Ferguson signing a domestic striker to play second fiddle to Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov next season. Unfortunately, as we were only factoring Premier League strikers into the equation, Owen slipped our mind.
Do you think there is any substance to the rumour or have there simply been some misguided bets placed this afternoon? If not Owen, are there any strikers playing in England who it might be worth United gambling on? Let us know your opinion with a comment below.
UPDATE: Owen is now 4/7 4/9 to join Manchester United.
A round-up of of this afternoon’s other football news
Cristiano Ronaldo gets in more car trouble
Six months after having his Ferrari 599 GTB written off after a collision with a concrete wall, Ronaldo is again in trouble for a car-related incident. The Real Madrid star allegedly used his £80 million-valued feet to kick the car window of 17-year-old student Sara Pardal, sending shards of glass flying into her face. The FIFA World Player of the Year was heading to an Elton John concert with his mum and sisters when he spotted the girl videoing him. Ronaldo claims she was with a photographer who had been stationed outside his house for days and that he only reacted because his mother was distressed. He has expressed regret but also accused Pardal of exaggerating her injuries.
Sheffield United try to build bridges with West Ham The Blades completed the signing of former West Ham winger Kyel Reid today and have used the move as proof that there are no hard feelings between them
The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies…
Michael Owen to Olympiakos
The Greek side have reportedly offered the charismatic striker a way of escaping from all the poeple pointing and laughing at him in England with a three-year-deal worth £50k-a-week in Athens
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Before tax, it’s not as much as the £60k-a-week Hull are offering, but the Government’s brilliant new 50 per cent tax laws will make the money go a lot further in Greece.
Samuel Eto’o and Carlos Tevez to Manchester City The Daily Star believe the Citizens will bolster their attacking lineup with a £50m MEGABID for the man who plays for Barca and the man who plays for Kia Joorabchian.
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: It is believed the Catalan giants have already accepted
Even more transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies
Karim Benzema to Manchester United
The French striker’s agent Karim Djaziri revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson wants to sign his client this summer. Just last week, Djaziri was quoted as saying that Benzema was happy to stay with the Ligue 1 club for another year.
The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Djaziri doesn’t expect Lyon to demand more than 40 million euros but the French side are in a great bargaining position as they know that the Red Devils have plenty to spend and need a striker.
Michael Owen to Hull
Phil Brown has confirmed that he was deadly serious about trying to sign Owen after his Newcastle contract expires next week. He said: “Hopefully Michael
The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies
David Villa to Manchester United The Daily Mirror are reporting that Sir Alex Ferguson wants Valencia striker David Villa “above all other options” to replace Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez and claim that he is willing to match whatever Barcelona offer for the Spanish international.
The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Villa is reluctant to test himself abroad and said recently: ”Next season I will play in Spain because it is the league that is best for me. I will not go abroad.” If he leaves the Mestalla this summer, it will almost certainly be for either Barcelona or Real Madrid.
Samuel Eto’o to Manchester City
Barcelona’s attempts to sign Villa are good news for Manchester City, with the Telegraph claiming that Pep Guardiola will let Samuel Eto’o go if the Spain
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