Ferguson lining up £35m swoop
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is confident of a breakthrough in his £35million summer pursuit of Fernando Torres and Mahamadou Diarra. Along with Tottenham's Michael Carrick - secured after a deal worth up to £18millon - Athletico Madrid striker Torres and Lyon Midfielder Diarra have been his prime transfer targets for the new season.
In both cases Ferguson refused to meet the £25million price tag Athletico and Lyon have asked for their star players. But as the August 31 transfer deadline draws near it is believed the clubs will cut their asking prices. That news has stimulated interest from United and at least one - if not both players - could be arriving at Old Trafford this month in deals worth about £35million.
Despite publicly stating that he is happy to go into the new season with the strikers he has got after Ruud Van Nistelrooy's £10million departure to Real Madrid, Ferguson has been working furiously to bring a top hitman to the club. They have been linked with Inter Milan's Brazilian star Adriano but the Spanish international Torres is Sir Alex's number one target.
It is thought Lyon have reluctantly decided there is no point in keeping Malian international Diarra, who wants to play in the Premiership.
Copyright: Sunday Express
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is confident of a breakthrough in his £35million summer pursuit of Fernando Torres and Mahamadou Diarra. Along with Tottenham's Michael Carrick - secured after a deal worth up to £18millon - Athletico Madrid striker Torres and Lyon Midfielder Diarra have been his prime transfer targets for the new season.
In both cases Ferguson refused to meet the £25million price tag Athletico and Lyon have asked for their star players. But as the August 31 transfer deadline draws near it is believed the clubs will cut their asking prices. That news has stimulated interest from United and at least one - if not both players - could be arriving at Old Trafford this month in deals worth about £35million.
Despite publicly stating that he is happy to go into the new season with the strikers he has got after Ruud Van Nistelrooy's £10million departure to Real Madrid, Ferguson has been working furiously to bring a top hitman to the club. They have been linked with Inter Milan's Brazilian star Adriano but the Spanish international Torres is Sir Alex's number one target.
It is thought Lyon have reluctantly decided there is no point in keeping Malian international Diarra, who wants to play in the Premiership.
Copyright: Sunday Express