Well with Torres staying in Madrid, our no. 1 striker target is gone. But maybe we have an agreement with Torres that they will buy him next season. He turned down Inter. Won't play for Real. Pure speculation, I know
Midfield has to be reinforced immediatly.
Viera looks like he's going to Inter/Barca.
Diarra is still too expensive and it's good enough for him if he stays in Lyon. He seems to have been expecting a bid from Real and now that that's not going to happen he's open to other offers. He wants it all his own way and unfortunately for him, fortunately for us, his inflated ego will see him playing at Lyon next year. If Essien was considered to be a better player, I wouldn't like us to buy him. Not saying that Essien isn't a good player, he is (esp on his WC performances). I think that he underperformed at Chelsea due to, possibly playing out of position and being a dogs body for Makelele and Lampard.
Gattuso and Pirlo will stay in Milan now due to them being re-instated into the champions league.
I expect Utd to return for Carrick since he has rejected a new contract. Maybe Fergie will go for Defoe too. Depending on my speculation with Torres above.
I don't understand how we have not been more solidly linked with Hargreaves though. Does Fergie not rate him at all?
How would you line out the team if we bought Hargreaves and Carrick? And possibly defoe???
Van Der Sar
Neville Ferdinand Vidic/Heinze? Heinze/Evra(if he can sort himself out)
Ronaldo Hargreaves Carrick/Scholes? Giggs/Park?
Rooney Saha/Smith/Rossi/Defoe?