TRANSFER TALK

Last updated : 01 August 2006 By Editor
From the MEN:

United could switch their attention from Spanish ace Fernando Torres to another World Cup star - Argentina's Carlos Tevez.

The Reds have met with stubborn resistance from Atletico Madrid, who are insisting on a £25m price tag for Torres.

But Tevez, who had been expected to join Chelsea, could be a cheaper target for United after claiming he is being forced out of his club Corinthians by mounting fan pressure.

Tevez had angered hard-core supporters with a silencing gesture after lacklustre Corinthians slumped to bottom of the Brazilian championship at the weekend with their eighth defeat on the trot.

Tevez is contracted to the Brazilians for another three years after joining them for a South American record £10.7m in 2004 - and his club say he can only be released from his contract for £68m.

But Tevez, who is friends with United's Gabriel Heinze, appears desperate to get out of Brazil, saying:

"My daughter Florencia is very scared and my wife is too. They are very sad. Things which the Corinthians supporters did, are not easy to forget. If I was single, I would be in Brazil for one more year. But I have to talk with my family."


Marcos Senna insists he is happy where he is despite United's interest, telling Villareal's website:

"I know they are negotiating my situation and I hope that it is fixed soon so I know what my future will be.”


From the Independent:

Manchester United will now consider a bid for the Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt, a long-term target for Liverpool, to replace his departed countryman Ruud van Nistelrooy after it was confirmed yesterday that they have agreed an eye- watering £18.6m fee for Michael Carrick, who will inherit Roy Keane's No 16 shirt at Old Trafford.

Kuyt has been tracked by Liverpool all summer after playing a central role in the Netherlands' World Cup finals campaign, although the Merseyside club have refused to meet a £12m valuation of the player. They may have to revise that opinion after it emerged yesterday that United have made enquiries about Kuyt's situation, as their manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, seeks to strengthen his forward line in the wake of Van Nistelrooy's departure.

As revealed in The Independent last week, Carrick's fee was settled in the early hours of Thursday morning at £18m - and Tottenham sought to present the deal in their favour yesterday by revealing that the total could rise to as much as £18.6m. That amount would be payable only if United were to achieve significant success in the Premiership and Champions' League, but Tottenham can be sure of at least £14m.

United's interest in Kuyt shows that they have contingency plans in place now that it seems almost certain that their primary striker target for the summer, Atletico Madrid's Fernando Torres, is resolved to stay in Spain for another year at least. Both Liverpool and Newcastle United had shown an interest in Kuyt, although neither had come close to agreeing a fee for the player.