TRANSFER B*LLOCKS

Last updated : 15 July 2004 By editor

Even the MEN are sceptical:

Manchester United have found themselves in the transfer frame over speculation linking Javier Saviola with a switch to the Premiership.

‘Reports in Spain say that an unnamed English club are in talks with Barcelona about a possible move for the Argentine hitman.

‘And United are firm favourites, according to the Spanish press, to be the club currently targeting the striker.

‘Although a favourite son of the Nou Camp, Saviola's bumper £2.5m a year pay packet is proving a burden on the financially troubled giant, and they are looking to either move him on or have him take a pay cut.

‘The 22-year-old is highly regarded as one of the best strikers in Europe, although whether or not he is a United target or just the subject of paper talk by the Spanish press will remain to be seen.’