Harry tells Alex: Hands off Luka

HARRY REDKNAPP last night told Manchester United: Luka Modric is not for sale at ANY price.

SunSport revealed United manager Alex Ferguson has made the Tottenham playmaker his major £25million summer target.

But Redknapp told his old mate Fergie: "There's no chance of it happening at all. Luka's key to everything that's happening at this place.

"Everybody knows what I think of him. And if you want to move on to higher levels you don't start flogging off your best players - to anyone."

Redknapp had been linked with Manchester City's Stephen Ireland as a midfield replacement for Modric.

But the Spurs boss said: "Stephen is undoubtedly a very good player but we have a lot of players who can fill that position. I like him but he won't be a target."

Despite previous interest, Redknapp insisted he will not move for £14m-rated Bolton defender Gary Cahill, who interests Arsenal.

He said: "I like the player, always have. But I am very happy with my defence.

"Michael Dawson and Ledley King have shown what they are all about by forcing their way into the England squad.

"I have an excellent squad and - I stress - Luka Modric is going to remain a part of it."

Modric helped Spurs clinch fourth place to grab a coveted Champions League berth.

The Croatia star, 24, said: "I thought at the time 'This is a big thing for us'. If we qualify for the group stages of the Champions League I'm sure this club will go on to another level."

READ the full Luka Modric interview in Hotspur, the official magazine of Tottenham Hotspur, out tomorrow.

TheSun

Valencia won’t sell off the Silva

MANCHESTER UNITED and Real Madrid have been told David Silva is not for sale.

The Valencia midfielder, 24, has been linked with a £30million move. But president Manuel Llorente insisted: "He will not leave."

TheSun

Argentine ace primed for big money Manchester United move

Sergio Aguero is primed for a £51million move to Manchester United after suffering cup heartbreak with Atletico Madrid.

The Argentinean played in last nights 2-0 defeat against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey, and now Spanish reports are claiming that Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to pay the release fee in the forwards contract.

Chelsea have also been linked with Aguero, while Real Madrid maintain an interest and seem the most likely destination for the playmaker.

The 21-year-old has previously mentioned the fact that he would not have a problem moving to Atletico’s city rivals if the club needed to sell, however it's unlikely that they'll be getting the £51million quoted from anyone.

 

Mirrorfootball.co.uk

 

Barca plot £80m Rooney bid

Barcelona are plotting a sensational £80m bid to lure Wayne Rooney to Spain, according to reports in today's papers.

The Catalan giants are about to tie up a deal for David Silva, and are actively pursuing Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, but have also set their sights on landing the England striker.

Rooney is currently away in Austria with the England squad but Barca are reported to have already started making enquiries about bringing him to the Nou Camp.

Manager Pep Guardiola is determined to lead Barca back to the top of European football after they surrendered their Champions League crown when Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan knocked them out of the competition in the semi-finals.

Rooney is under contract at United until 2012 and is happy at the club but Barca believe the thought of playing alongside Lionel Messi in such a star-studded team would appeal to the former Everton star, who has had to carry much of the goalscoring burden this season after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.

They also believe an £80m could tempt the Glazer family to do business, as the club struggle to keep up repayments on their massive debts.

Fergie’s still after a new karim

MANCHESTER UNITED still have not given up hope of landing Karim Benzema.

Boss Alex Ferguson lost out in his first attempt to sign the 22-year-old last summer, when he was outbid by Real Madrid.

The France striker made a £31million switch from Lyon. But he has been a flop for the Spanish giants, who are now ready to sell for around £25m.

Benzema has started only 14 La Liga games this season and scored just eight league goals.

United's owners, the Glazers, are desperate to make a big-name signing to silence some of the opposition to their reign.

Nemanja Vidic could be used as a £10m makeweight in a Benzema deal.

Silva service on offer for United

SPAIN star David Silva admits he would find it hard to turn down a move to Manchester United.

The winger has been linked with a transfer away from Valencia and is reportedly interesting Old Trafford chief Alex Ferguson.

And Silva, 24, has told the United boss he would be keen to make the switch to Manchester if the opportunity arose.

He said: "When you hear a club like Manchester United is interested in you it is an honour.

"I am very aware of the Premier League, and in recent years it has been the stand-out league in the world.

"If it came calling — especially if it was a club like Manchester United — it would be very hard to resist.

"I am happy at Valencia, but every player has his price and if they get an offer they think is good business anything is possible."

Benzema rules out Manchester United move

Karim Benzema has played down his chances of a move to Manchester United in the summer by claiming he wants to stay at Real Madrid "forever".

The France striker, a £30million signing last year, said: "I came here alone and my adaptation was difficult. I spent three months in a hotel but now I live in my house with a friend. This is best for me and it shows on the pitch.

"My adaptation is still difficult, but I have plenty of time left because I signed for seven years. Next season will be the best Benzema. My dream was to sign for Real Madrid and now that I have, I want to stay forever."

Brazil ace eyes Man Utd move

Brazil international Luis Fabiano has hinted he could be interested in a move to Manchester United.

The 29-year-old Sevilla striker, who will spearhead Brazil's World Cup campaign this summer, has one year left on his contract with the Primera Division club.

"If you are asking me what team I most admire it is Manchester United," he is quoted as saying in Friday morning's Daily Express. "If you play under Sir Alex Ferguson then you are probably going to win a title or another major trophy."

Luis Fabiano has won two UEFA Cups and a Copa del Rey with Sevilla, for whom he has scored 90 goals in 187 games.

Fergie is Dim the Hunt for klaas

KLAAS-JAN HUNTELAAR could be heading to Manchester United in a sensational swap deal with Dimitar Berbatov.

AC Milan bigwig Adriano Galliani has acknowledged the possibility of the Dutch international moving to the Premier League but remained coy on the future of Bulgarian flop Berba.

Milan vice-president Galliani said: "When Klaas was at Real Madrid, he had the chance to go to England, Germany or Italy, and he chose Milan. But England could be a future solution.

"I have read about our interest in Berbatov and I have nothing to add."

SunSport revealed this week United boss Alex Ferguson was looking to offload Berbatov, who has scored just a dozen goals this season, to the Italian outfit.

23/04/10 - Thesun.co.uk

Fergie: Give my job to Moyes

ALEX FERGUSON believes David Moyes is the man to succeed him at Old Trafford.

SunSport revealed yesterday the Manchester United boss is ready to step down after one more season.

Ferguson, 68, is convinced that Everton boss Moyes can provide the continuity United crave to keep them challenging for the top honours.

Jose Mourinho is the bookies' favourite and enjoys a close relationship with Ferguson from his time as a rival boss with Chelsea.

But the United hierarchy, including the influential Sir Bobby Charlton, are not convinced.

Ferguson knows fellow Glaswegian Moyes, 46, well and has constantly championed his achievements at Preston and now Everton.

He also believes it is right to give a good British manager the chance to take one of the big jobs in football.

Jose Mourinho (Left), Alex Ferguson (Center), David Moyes(Right)

21/04/10 -TheSun

Papers: Milan want Dimi

Milan plan £20m bid for Berba

Dimitar Berbatov could end his Manchester United hell this summer - with AC Milan planning a £20million bid. The Sun revealed last week that Old Trafford boss Alex Ferguson has lost faith in the Bulgarian hitman and is ready to offload him. Fergie accepts he must take a loss on Berbatov, 29, who cost £30.75m but has scored just 12 goals this season, and will be tempted if Milan move in. An AC Milan insider said: "No contact has been made yet but we admire Berbatov. He is a strong player who would do very well in Italy. Whether something can be arranged remains to be seen. It has been difficult for Berbatov in Manchester but he is a good player who has a lot to offer."

Tony Little, The Sun

Papers: One more year?

Ferguson out, Mourinho in

Sir Alex Ferguson will quit Manchester United at the end of next season – and Jose Mourinho will succeed him. Ferguson aims to complete an unprecedented 25 seasons in charge at Old Trafford before calling time on the most successful managerial career in history. By then, the man who took over in November 1986, hopes to have steered United to a record number of title wins and, hopefully, a third Champions League success. Starsport understands United have already lined up the charismatic Mourinho, currently in charge of Inter Milan. Ferguson, who will be 69 on December 31, has been involved in discussions about his successor for the past few years.

Bill Thornton, Daily Star

Ronaldo: Rooney ke Madrid? Mustahil

Madrid - Sejak kebelakangan ini banyak khabar angin mengatakan Real Madrid  ingin mendapatkan Wayne Rooney musim depan. Namun Cristiano Ronaldo, iaitu bekas rakan sepasukan Rooney mengatakan bahawa perkara itu mustahil untuk berlaku.

Real Madrid tertarik kepada Rooney bukan tanpa alasan, selain Real memang suka mengumpul pemain bintang, Real juga tertarik kerana persembahan Rooney pada musim ini sangat memberangsangkan, dimana pemain berusia 24 tahun itu telah menjaringkan 34 gol dalam semua perlawanan.

Sehingga Madrid dikhabarkan sanggup membayar jumblah yang besar  £150 juta(RM825 juta), termasuk tawaran £90 juta (RM496 juta) untuk membeli penyerang  Manchester United itu, serta menawarkan perjanjian lima tahun bernilai £60 juta (RM330 juta) kepada Wayne Rooney. Apa lagi The Red Devils masa ini tengah dibebani hutang yang besar, maka semakin kuat khabar angin mengatakan kemungkinan Rooney akan berhijrah ke Real Madrid.

Oleh itu, Ronaldo yang pernah bekerjasama dengan Rooney di M.U sebelum ini, menyatakan bahawa dia tidak keberatan jika suami kepada Coleen itu berhijrah ke Santiago Bernabeu, Ronaldo juga tidak ragu-ragu mengakui bahawa dia ingin bermain bersama dengan Rooney dalam satu kelab semula. Tetapi Ronaldo tidak mengatakan dia ingin bermain bersama Rooney di kelab mana dan dia hanya mengatakan bahawa Madrid memang sukar untuk mendapatkan bekas rakan sepasukannya itu, kerana Rooney telah sebati berada di Old Trafford. 

"Saya masih berkawan baik dengan Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand dan Nemanja Vidic dan saya juga fikir Rooney sangat bahagia di Manchester," katanya kepada ESPN Star.

£60 juta (RM336j) untuk beli Benzema

MANCHESTER: Tertekan selepas gagal layak ke separuh akhir Liga Juara-Juara Eropah serta situasi tidak menentu sama ada dapat mempertahankan mahkota kejuaraan Liga Perdana Inggeris, Sir Alex Ferguson kini ghairah mahu membeli bintang Real Madrid, Karim Benzema dan penyerang Valencia, David Silva.

Pengendali berbangsa Scotland itu difahamkan memujuk pengurusan tertinggi Manchester United untuk berbelanja besar mendapatkan dua bintang itu dari Liga Sepanyol dengan harga £60 juta (RM336 juta).

Ferguson mahu kedua-dua pemain ini memantapkan skuad yang sudah bergoyah selepas tersingkir daripada buruan beberapa trofi, musim ini tetapi tidak mudah panik kerana percaya perubahan besar tidak perlu dilakukan untuk kembali ke landasan kejuaraan.

Pemilik United, keluarga Glazers, mendakwa wang daripada penjualan Cristiano Ronaldo berharga £80 juta (RM448 juta) masih ada untuk rundingan pembelian seterusnya.

Ferguson cuba mendapatkan Benzema, 22, musim ini tetapi gagal selepas penyerang Perancis itu memilih Real Madrid yang memancingnya dengan harga £35 juta (RM192 juta) tetapi United percaya dapat membelinya dengan angka £25 juta (RM137 juta) kerana dia nampak kurang menyengat di Bernabeu (Real Madrid).

Jika Fergie mendapat lampu hijau untuk berbelanja besar bagi kelab yang turut dilanda beban hutang itu, dia akan membuat perubahan kecil tetapi mahal.

Pengurus warga Scotland itu yang pernah diberitahu dia tidak akan memenangi sebarang trofi jika bersandarkan kepada pemain bertaraf ‘budak’, terpaksa bergantung kepada barisan pelapis muda di Old Trafford apabila beberapa pemain veteran seperti penjaga gol Edwin van der Sar, 39, Gary Neville, 35, dan Paul Scholes, 35, mula hilang sentuhan.

14/04/10 - Berita Harian

Berbatov mungkin disingkirkan Akhir Musim ini?

Manchester - Kesabaran Sir Alex Ferguson pada Dimitar Berbatov nampaknya sudah berakhir. Dikhabarkan bahawa Sir Alex Ferguson bakal mennyingkirkan Dimitar Berbatov pada penghujung musim ini dan digantikan dengan Karim Benzema.

Manchester United mendapatkan Berbatov dengan bayaran yang mahal sekitar £30.75 juta pound (RM153.099 juta), dari Tottenham Hotspur, Tetapi Berbatov dianggap sebagai pembelian yang gagal. Sejak tiba di Old Trafford pada 2008 lalu, dia tidak pernah menunjukan persembahan yang diharapkan.

Ketidak percayaan Fergie terhadap striker Bulgaria itu kelihatan pada saat The Red Devils bertemu Bayern Munich di pusingan kedua suku akhir Liga Juara-Juara Eropah, dimana pasukan United memerlukan kemenangan untuk memastikan layak untuk ke separuh akhir, oleh itu Ferguson terpaksa mengambil risiko dengan menurunkan striker harapan mereka, Wayne Rooney.

Beberapa hari sebelum bertemu dengan Bayern Munich, Berbatov juga tidak dapat membantu pasukan 'The Red Devils' sebagai penyerang utama malahan ditundukkan oleh Chelsea di Old Trafford. Mengikut laporan, itulah satu-satunya peluang United menjarak mata dengan Chelsea sekiranya mereka dapat menundukkan Chelsea. 

Semasa The Red Devils menentang Blackburn Rovers, Berbatov juga tidak dapat menunjukkan peranan besar setelah bermain dari awal perlawanan. Oleh itu, M.U terpaksa pulang dengan keputusan seri 0-0 menentang Blackburn menyebabkan MU menjarakkan mata dengan Chelsea yang kini sudah berada di tangga teratas liga.

Keadaan ini membuatkan Ferguson semakin yakin akan menjual Berbatov diakhir musim nanti. Laporan dari TheSun.

Nama penyerang penganti suda pasti adalah Karim Benzema. Iaitu pemain kebangsaan Prancis, dimana pemain ini menjadi sasaran utama Sir Alex Ferguson sejak tahun lalu, Karim Benzema akan kembali diburu pada musim panas nanti selepas pemain itu beraksi hambar bersama Real Madrid musim ini.

Beberapa laporan juga mengatakan Benzema hingga kini belum menunjukkan kehebatan sebenarnya di Real. Selain itu Benzema juga beberapa kali berhadapan dengan masalah kecederaan, oleh itu Benzema tidak dapat bersaing dengan Gonzalo Higuain dan Cristiano Ronaldo yang kini menjadi pemain kesebelasan utama Real Madrid.