TRANSFER RUMOURS
Last updated : 04 June 2003 By Editor
The BBC report that Serbia & Montenegro defender Nemanja
Vidic has been talking up a move to United.
"I think it is always flattering to be linked with a club
such as Manchester United. I have read the about their
interest in several newspapers, and as far as I know they
have not made a concrete offer for me.
"I am flattered, but I cannot really think about it until
such time when and if United make a firm bid to Red Star
Belgrade. If that happened, obviously I would be delighted.”
Paris St Germain have warned United to stay away from
Ronaldinho. New boss Vahid Halihodizic said:
"When I arrive at a club I decide who leaves and who stays.
Whether it's Pele, Maradona or Ronaldinho, I'm the one who
takes the decision. I always have the final word. And I will
do everything, absolutely everything, to get Ronaldinho to
stay."
New club president Francis Graille added: "I refused to meet
Peter Kenyon because that would have been seen as the first
step in Ronaldinho's transfer from PSG. Let me make this
clear: Our priority is holding on to Ronaldinho."
Fergie is also reported to be interested in Xabi Alonso from
Real Sociedad but a spokesman from the Spanish club told the
Spanish newspaper As that no contact has been made:
"There has been nothing. There have been some rumours as a
consequence of the team's great run but the club has not
received any contact regarding the player.''
Alonso himself claims he is happy to stay put:
"I don't know anything about any interest from any team.
They are just rumours but for the time being I am happy in
Spain.''
The Sun have reported that Harry Kewell is wary of joining
United because he fears a similar supporter backlash to that
experienced by Rio Ferdinand.
The Mirror claim that Laurent Blanc will be asked to stay at
United for another season. They believe that Fergie needs
him as cover until Wes Brown and Gary Neville recover from
their respective injuries.
The Daily Record in Scotland has Rangers defender Lorenzo
Amoruso claiming that United and Arsenal want to sign him.
Blackburn have already made a bid but he said:
"Yes, it's true. I have been told that both of these clubs
are interested in signing me. I didn't want to say anything
about it because it's very early days and we don't know what
is going to happen but they have spoken to my agent. It is
obviously very flattering but, as I have said all along, my
dream would be to finish my career in Glasgow and I really
mean that - no matter who wants to sign me. But I have to be
realistic and if that can't happen then I will look at my
options."
And finally, the MEN announce that a deal for David Bellion
is completed and will go through as soon as his contract
expires at Sunderland on June 30th.
