KEWELL
Harry Kewell will this week be challenged by Sir Alex Ferguson: "Show us how much you want to play for Manchester United."
Kewell's former Leeds team-mate Rio Ferdinand quickly convinced Fergie of that last summer before his switch and 43-goal striker Ruud van Nistelrooy was at pains to tell the him how desperate he was to play for United.
Now Kewell must do the same - but I can reveal Fergie and other senior figures are not holding their breath.
United have been alarmed at comments attributed to Kewell and his camp and the continuing whispers that he would prefer to play under Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.
It is believed Kewell is concerned at how regularly he would figure in an attacking midfield that is expected to boast Ronaldinho, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Juan Veron as well as captain Roy Keane, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville.
Leeds boss Peter Reid is desperate for any move for Kewell to go through.
ERIC FROM FRANCE
We are to sign Cameroon midfielder Eric Daniel Djemba-Djemba from Nantes according to The People. They quote Nantes spokesman Sylvie Poulmarch:
"We have been talking to United for some time about Eric and there is a good chance a deal will be done soon - it could even happen next week."
The player himseld is quoted in the NOTW: "I was stunned when I bheard a deal had been agreed. I am thrilled such a big club has come in for me. They call me Cantona in Cameroon because the first shirt I had was the United No. 7. But I do not play in the same style as Cantona - I'd like to be more like Roy Keane."
£2.5 million apparently.
BELLION STILL ON
The screws say that we are (finally one way or other, please) ready to tie up a deal with David Bellion.
RONALDINHO
The People say that he is due to fly to Manchester this week for a guided tour by SAF. they say that the deal will be £9.3 million despite PSG wanting £28 million.
The buck-toothed boy from Brazil is quoted: 'Knowing United want me makes me so proud. This is my biggest decision.'
DUFF AND CARR
The Sunday Mirror claim that we are after both Damien Duff and Stephen Carr: "Alex is keen on Stephen Carr as well as Damien Duff," revealed a United source.
JIMMY DAVIS
Watford are set to land our reserve striker Jimmy Davis on loan for a year according to reports.
FORLAN
One tab says that glenn Hoddle is after Diego, but this:
'Diego is very happy at Manchester United,' his agent Daniel Bolotnicoff told the BBC . 'No offer has been made for Forlan and he does not want to leave Manchester United in any case.
'Diego is ready to fight for his chance and hopes to be an important part of the team next season when he expects to play more,' said Bolotnicoff who denied Forlan might be heading for Spanish side Sevilla. Sevilla also denied a report that they had made a bid for the Uruguayan.
AND A SUMMARY OF THE PLAYERS IN AND OUT OF THE DOOR AT OLD TRAFFORD
IN: Paul Robinson (Leeds United), Geremi, (Real Madrid), Ronaldinho (Paris St-Germain), Ricardo Quaresma (Sporting Lisbon), Lorenzo Amoruso (Rangers), Harry Kewell (Leeds), Tim Howard (MetroStars), Oliver Kahn (Bayern Munich), Brad Friedel (Blackburn Rovers), Damien Duff (Blackburn Rovers), Gareth Southgate (Middlesbrough), Roy Makaay (Deportivo), Julien Escude (Rennes), Eric Djemba-Djemba (Nantes), Guti (Real Madrid), Stephen carr (Spurs), Samuel Eto'o (Real Mallorca), David Bellion (Sunderland)
OUT: Roy Carroll (Birmingham City), Ryan Giggs (traded in for Hernan Crespo and £8m by Internazionale), Diego Forlan (Sevilla and Spurs)
You may have heard though that David Beckham has agreed a deal with Real Madrid, subject to a medical. What would happen if he broke his leg, I wonder?
