The Fans Football Blog3

Asked about the new rumours linking Manchester United central defender and Serbian international Nemanja Vidic (27) with a move to Barcelona (read more here), the player's adviser Paolo Fabbri is quoted by British tabloid The Daily Express as denying that he has said Vidic would like to join Barcelona stating that he has been misquoted:

"This is not true. I never said these things. Nemanja is happy in Manchester. If Barcelona do make an offer for him then it is up to United to make a decision. I am planning to come to England shortly, along with Vidic's agent Silvano Martina, but this is only for a routine chat with United officials."

British newspaper The Times meanwhile claims that Manchester United is preparing to offer Vidic a new contract. Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has recommended that the club offer him a pay rise and an extension to his contract, which expires in 2012.

Read more:
Vidic welcomes Barcelona interest
Barcelona considering bids for Evans and Kompany
Barcelona will try again for Vidic

Asked about the new rumours linking Manchester United central defender and Serbian international Nemanja Vidic (27) with a move to Barcelona (read more here), the player's agent Paolo Fabbri has said in an interview with Catalan radio station RAC 1 that the player would like to join Barcelona:

"Vidic would be delighted to play at Barça because it's his dream to play in the Spanish league. We have to analyze the situation but at this moment one should be realistic and see that things are complicated. The team has just let go Cristiano Ronaldo and Tévez and they don't want to lose another key player."

Read more:
Barcelona will try again for Vidic
Barcelona considering bids for Evans and Kompany
Vidic confirms Barcelona offer

British tabloid The Sunday Mirror claims that Barcelona will make another attempt to sign Manchester United central defender and Serbian international Nemanja Vidic (27) this summer.

Rumours that Vidic is unsettled in Manchester continue to circulate and Barcelona would still be hoping a deal can be sealed. Barcelona has reportedly been given encouragement by sources close to the player suggesting Vidic wants to leave because his wife Ana does not enjoy living in England.

Vidic, who has three years left on his contract and is currently out with a calf injury, remains a key player for Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, but the emergence of Jonny Evans last season and the consistency of Rio Ferdinand could make the coach change his mind.

Barcelona would even have made it clear to Vidic's advisers that the club will try again during the winter transfer window next year if they fail to sign the Serbian centre-back this month. Italian clubs AC Milan and Inter Milan are also believed to be monitoring the situation of Vidic.

Read more:
Vidic confirms Barcelona offer
Barcelona has been in contact with 22 players
Barcelona considering bids for Evans and Kompany

British tabloid The Daily Mail claims that Barcelona is considering bids for Manchester United central defender and Northern Irish international Jonny Evans and Manchester City central defender and Belgian international Vincent Kompany (23 - picture).

Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain would already had drawn up a short list of alternative candidates in case the transfer of Shaktar central defender Chygrynskiy wouldn't go through (read more here) and will now try to land one of these other options before the end of the month.

The tabloid claims that Manchester United is unlikely to listen to offers for Evans, while Kompany could be attractive because of his versatility, which allows him to also act as defensive midfielder.

The third player on the list, São Paulo central defender and Brazilian international João Miranda de Souza Filho "Miranda", would nevertheless be the easiest player to sign, particularly because Barcelona is expected to be wanting to concentrate resources on a bid for Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fàbregas.

Read more:
Three possible alternatives for the centre-back
Shakhtar rejects two new offers for Chygrynskiy

British tabloid The Sunday Telegraph claims that Barcelona made an approach for Manchester United winger and Portuguese international Nani (22).

The club is believed to have contacted Manchester United after the Champions League final in May asking about the availability of Nani. The English champions would have rejcted the approach.

Nani told the tabloid: "I heard something about Barcelona. It is good for a player to hear that the best clubs in the world want you to play for them. But my mind was only thinking about Manchester.

It makes me really happy to know that this club wants to keep me, it really gives me confidence. It's fantastic to know that, at a club like this, they are thinking about my future. I have never thought about going. I have been here only two years and want to do something for this club, to be part of its history."

Read more:
Nani was on top of the transfer list
Manchester United asks for Toure
Agent Vidic dismisses new transfer rumours

Speaking to journalists ahead of Sunday's Community Shield match with Chelsea at Wembley, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson claims that last season's Champions League loss to Barcelona will drive his team to more success in the coming term:

"Adversity is always an important factor in developing and improving."

Previously skirting around the issue, Ferguson now believes that the agony of losing such an important game can be used as a major motivational tool by his team.

"When you lose the last game of the season you have two or three months to reflect on the disappointment. We have not enjoyed that. But we will cope - and we will bounce back."

Read more:
Three possible alternatives for the centre-back

While the negotiations with Shakhtar Donetsk defender and Ukrainian international Dmytro Chygrnskiy (22) at a standstill (read more here), and Barcelona still wanting to sign a left central defender to pair with Piqué for the long term, Catalan sports paper Sport claimsthat Barcelona has profiled three possible alternatives:

Vincent Kompany (23, 193m) - Manchester City defender and Belgian international
First choice. A versatile player previously targeted by Barcelona while Frank Rijkaard was still in charge, Thuram would have arrived instead. Belgian international, can play multiple positions. Shares defensive midfielder duties on the national team with another Barcelona target, Vertognen. Has height, versatility, youth and experience. Would have fit all the profiles sought by Barcelona.

Miranda (24, 1.85m) - Sao Paulo defender and Brazilian international
A speedy player who forms part of a central duo with veteran Andre Dias at Sao Paulo. Right-footed but plays on the left side in central defense. The fourth choice central defender on the Brazilian national team at the 2009 Confederations Cup behind Lucio, Juan and Luisao. Already had a failed European experience with French club Sochaux.

Jonny Evans (21, 1.88m) - Manchester United defender and Northern Irish international
A player with excellent mental attributes, tactical and calm on the ball. Manchester United's third choice central defender behind undisputed Vidic and Ferdinand. Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson would have authorized the departure of current Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué in part because of the quality of Evans. Contract ends in 2011. Would cost between 12 and 15 million euro.

Asked about the new rumours linking Manchester United central defender and Serbian international Nemanja Vidic (27) again with several European top clubs, among which Barcelona, after the defender pulled out of Manchester United's Malaysia tour, one of the player's agent Paulo Fabbri reconfirmed in an interview with British sports site Sport that the Serbian will not leave this summer:

"Yesterday my colleague Silvano spoke to the player and he did not say anything. No no no, he won't be leaving United. Not at all. Absolutely not at all. There is absolutely no transfer for Vidic. We do not expect any transfer for the time being. No he will stay for sure."

Read more:
Vidic confirms Barcelona offer
Agents Vidic dismiss Barcelona rumours

French sports paper L'Equipe claims that Manchester United is strongly interested in Barcelona forward and Cameroonian international Samuel Eto'o (28) (read more here).

The entourage of Eto'o, who is said to be willing to leave Barcelona, wouldn't have denied the information when asked by the paper.



Read more:
Club waiting for reply Eto'o to renewal offer
The truth in the Eto'o case
Eto'o willing to join Manchester United

British tabloid The Daily Mail claims that Manchester United have stepped up their interest in Barcelona defensive midfielder and Ivorian international Yaya Touré (26) (read more here).

Amid growing concern over the fitness of Manchester United player Owen Hargreaves after two major knee operations last season, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson would have asked about Touré, who could be allowed to leave Barcelona if Liverpool defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano is signed by Barcelona this summer.

Read more:
Manchester United wants to sign Toure
OFFICIAL: Toure renews until 2012
Manchester United preparing a bid for Toure

British tabloid News of the World claims that Barcelona forward and Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o (28) wants to join Manchester United and is willing to lower his wage demands for that.

Despite the signing of Michael Owen, the English champions could still be interested in Eto'o, who would only want to join a European top club and would be willing to accept a year salary of around 9 million euro. A source close to the player is quoted by the tabloid as saying: "Samuel has not been convinced by a move to a mid-table side in the Premier League and neither will he sign a new deal at Barca."

Greater Manchester regional newspaper Manchester Evening News meanwhile claims that a transfer to Manchester City has become more likely after Barcelona president Joan Laporta has indicated to sources in Spain that he may be ready to agree a pay-off to Eto'o or to renegotiate the transfer fee so that part of City's offer goes to the striker like stipulated in his contract.

The English Premier League club would already have agreed a 30 million euro° transfer fee with Barcelona but the sticking point would until now have been a bonus clause in Eto'o's contract with Barcelona which entitles him to compensation if he's sold before his contract expires next summer.

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona is willing to accept a 25,5 million euro° bid by Manchester City. This would be the only formal offer Barcelona has received until now. The English club would be ready to offer Eto'o a year salary of 10 million euro net and not a salary that would make him the best paid player in the world as Barcelona president Laporta had previously stated.

Read more:
Club waiting for reply Eto'o to renewal offer
Eto'o has found a house to live in Manchester
Laporta comments on the transfer market

Asked about rumours earlier this summer linking him with several European top clubs among which Barcelona (read more here), Manchester Untied central defender and Serbian international Nemanja Vidic (27) has confirmed in an interview with British tabloid The Sun that he received an offer from Barcelona but that he will continue in England next season:

"My wife Ana is unhappy with our lifestyle in Manchester but I am not going to change my mind as I am happy with the team and Manchester and the club's ambitions for next season.

I got offers from Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid and I played a very honest game. I disclosed all these offers to my boss Sir Alex. He reacted quickly. I was told he was raising my pay to bring it to the level where my reputation is in the Premier League and Europe.

After Milan and Real Madrid made their offers, Barcelona came in. They wanted to pay 30 millions for my services but after Sir Alex's move, I am definitely staying in Manchester until my contract expires in 2012. People often forget that when you move from one country to another and from one league to another, you have to change your playing style. My style of play is now completely adjusted to the Premier League."

Read more:
Vidic on top of Barcelona's target list
Vidic dismisses Barcelona rumours
Barcelona looking to sign Vidic this summer

British tabloid The Daily Mirror claims that Manchester United is preparing a move for Barcelona defensive midfielder and Ivorian international Yaya Touré (26) (read more here).

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has reportedly targeted the midfielder as fears grow about Owen Hargreaves's ability to overcome the tendinitis problems that have plagued his Old Trafford career so far.

If Barcelona would sign Liverpool defensive midfielder and Argentine international Javier Mascherano (25), the English champions will be encouraged to bid for Touré, with Ferguson having become aware during the Champions League final that he needs to add a physical presence to his midfield .

Read more:
OFFICIAL: Toure renews until 2012
Meeting on Mascherano in Barcelona
Manchester United wants to sign Toure

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Manchester United forward and Argentine international Carlos Tévez (25) is again a transfer target for Barcelona after the player's renewal talks with his club were broken off.

English Premier League clubs Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea are also believed to be interested in the attacker.

Manchester United issued yesterday a statement on its official website saying that Tevez will leave the English champions this summer: "Following contact received from Carlos Tevez's advisors last night, in advance of the deadline the Club set for concluding negotiations, Manchester United announces that Carlos will not be signing a new contract with the Club.

The Club agreed to pay the option price of £25.5m and offered Carlos a five-year contract which would have made him one of its highest paid players. Disappointingly however, his advisors informed the Club that, despite the success he has enjoyed during one of the Club's most successful periods, he does not wish to continue playing for Manchester United. The Club would like to thank Carlos for his services over the last two seasons and wishes him good luck for the future."

Read more:
Tevez offers himself for five years
Barcelona interested in signing Tevez

Catalan sports paper Sport reports that Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain presented the board on Thursday a report about the current transfer market. The club would want to sign three or four players this summer (read more here).

Barcelona thinks the forward line is the line with the most quality in the current squad but that things can always be improved.

Wings
Barcelona would like to sign a player for the left wing. The asking price for Bayern Munich attacker Franck Ribéry (26) would have gone overnight from 40 to 70 million euro° (read more here). Because the club thinks that this fee is above the market price, the negotiations have been put on hold.

Manchester City left winger Robinho (25), who is not feeling comfortable at his club, could only come on loan because he's too expensive (read more here). Valencia left wing attacker Juan Manuel Mata (21) and Aston Villa winger Ashley Young (23) would be the alternative options (read more here and here).

Centre forward
Barcelona would have valued Eto'o at 60 million euro° and hopes that Manchester United or Chelsea will bid for him. A swap with Inter Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (27) is still not being excluded (read more here).

Atlético Madrid forward Diego Forlán (30) would fit the profile put forward by Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola but his age reportedly makes Barcelona doubt about paying his 36 million euro° buyout clause (read more here). Barcelona would believe that Valencia forward and Spanish international David Villa (27) will force his exit after the Confederations Cup and that in that case he will join Barcelona or Real Madrid (read more here).

Read more:
The report of Txiki (2) : Mascherano priority
Barcelona close to signing Robinho on loan
Manchester United confident of signing Eto'o

British tabloid News of the World claims that Manchester United is again keeping an eye on Barcelona goalkeeper Víctor Valdés (27) because of the difficult renewal negotiations with Barcelona (read more here).

The English champions reportedly monitored Valdés all season but expected his contract to be settled after his performances in the Champions League. United had therefore turned their attentions to Villarreal goalkeeper Diego López but could now refocus on the Catalan goalkeeper whose current contract expires at the end of next season.

Read more:
Manchester United wants to sign Valdes
Barcelona not willing to accept Valdes demands
Valdes wins his second Zamora trophy

Asked about the rumous linking him with several European top clubs among which Barcelona (read more here), Manchester United central defender and Serbian international Nemanja Vidic (27) has said in an interview with British tabloid News of the World that he has no intention to leave:

"I am very happy here and next season we will start again. I have got no desire to go anywhere. People forget that when you join a new league you don't just have to adjust to the country, you also have to adjust to the style of football.

I feel my game is well adjusted to England now and I want to play a part in a successful team next season. United can make it a record four titles in a row next year. I've also started to understand and love all the things you English love. Now I even love a bacon sandwich!"

Read more:
Agents Vidic dismiss Barcelona rumours
Barcelona preparing bid for left back Evra
Vidic offers himself to Barcelona

British tabloid News of the World claims that Barcelona attacker and Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o (28) wants to cash in on the last major contract of his career.

Eto'o reportedly asked Manchester City a month salary of one million euro net for five years. Eto'o would be negotiating himself and simply employs lawyer Josep Maria Mesalles to handle the paperwork on his contracts.

Manchester United, Liverpool and Inter Milan would be among the other clubs that have inquired about his services and all have been quoted the same wages. Inter and Liverpool would already have pulled back, while United are highly unlikely to break their carefully regimented wage structure for Eto'o.

British tabloid The People claims that Eto'o rejected a 10 million euro offer by Manchester City because he didn't want to give up Champions League football. Chelsea, Liverpool and Inter Milan would be the clubs who are still interested in the striker. Barcelona would ask a transfer fee of 25 million euro° for the Cameroonian.

Read more:
Manchester United confident of signing Eto'o
Messi-Eto'o-Henry: Barcelona's Prolific Trident
Agent Eto'o repeats wish to continue

British newspaper The Guardian and The Times report that Manchester United is interested in Barcelona forward and Cameroon striker Eto'o (28).

The latter claims that the English champions are lining up a move for Eto'o. Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is eager to find a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo as soon as possible and would have made a firm inquiry about Eto'o.

Manchester United would be confident of getting the striker and looks like beating their city-rivals Manchester City. While City reportedly offered 30 million euro° for Eto'o and was prepared to make him the highest-paid player in the Premier League, United would hope to secure a deal for less.

Italian sports paper La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Barcelona has offered Eto'o, whose current contract expires in 2010, a three-year renewal worth 7,5 million euro a year, while Eto'o's agent Mesalles is asking ten million euro. Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola would have set 20 July as deadline: when the pre-season starts, the coach want to know who will be his centre forward next season.

Asked about the renewal negotiations, Barcelona president Joan Laporta said in an interview with Spanish news agency EFE that he hopes to renew the contract of Eto'o: "A lot of clubs want to sign him. We'll do what we can to renew him, to extend his contract because in my opinion he's the best goalscorer in the world and a very professional player. Things depend on two parties but I believe we can reach an agreement, although not any price."

Madrid sports tabloid As claims that like last summer Barcelona has put Eto'o on the market and has discretely offered the player to several clubs. British tabloid The Daily Mirror claims that Barcelona has offered Eto'o to Liverpool in exchange for Liverpool defensive midfielder and Argetnine international Javier Mascherano (25) (read more here).

Read more:
Agent Eto'o repeats wish to continue
Mascherano ideal candidate to strengthen midfield
Eto'o close to joining Manchester City

British tabloid The Daily Telegraph claims that Barcelona defensive midfielder and Ivorian international Yaya Touré (26) is one of the five names on Manchester United's transfer target list. Touré would be valued at 17,5 million euro°.

British tabloid The Daily Mail also claims that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson would like to sign Touré, while British tabloid The Sun claims that Arsenal is preparing a 17,5 million euro bid for the Ivorian midfielder. Inter Milan and AC Milan would also be interested.

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona is still confident about being able to renew the contract of Touré. The club would now first like to talk personally with the player to know his opinion about the renewal offer. A meeting could be scheduled next week when Touré will be back in Barcelona.

Read more:
Agent Toure putting pressure on renewal talks
Inter Milan dreaming of Toure
Talks with Manchester City on Toure transfer