Man United sign Ashley Young transfer from Villa

Manchester United website is delighted to announce it has reached agreement with Aston Villa for the transfer of Ashley Young. Ashley Young has signed a five-year contract with Manchester United after they agreed a fee with Aston Villa. United did not give details of the transfer fee but local media estimated it to be around £15 million ($24 million). It is their second English signing this month, having brought in defender Phil Jones from Blackburn Rovers.

The player passed a medical in Manchester this week and has agreed a five-year contract.

Young (left) after his medical at the private Bridgewater Hospital in Manchester

Young can play on either wing and also in a central position behind the strikers. He has played 15 times for England, most recently against Switzerland at the start of the month when he came off the bench to score the equalizer in a 2-2 draw.

Transfer News: Ashley Young to complete £17m Man United move

Ashley Young will complete his Old Trafford move this week. Manchester United will instead complete the £17m transfer of Ashley Young from Aston Villa, subject to the 25-year-old agreeing personal terms this week. 

Man Utd hope to make an announcement in the next few days that they have signed the 25-year-old England winger for whom a deal has been in place for some time with Aston Villa. Sam Wallace, The Independent

Who are Steven Defour? Man Utd (£15m Transfer Target)

Steven Defour go to Racing Genk in 2002 when the team KV Mechelen bankruptcy is part of the mass exodus of young talent the club. Genk He is a substitute for the 2004-05 season, but the big breakthrough was the following season, when the 17-year-old has shown he is a playmaker in the midfield with the ability to pass. Defour Ajax wanted to leave soon after, but Genk reject the transfer. Breath after the negotiations, he finally signed a contract for the standard. 

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was so impressed with Defour’s midfield dynamism for Standard and Belgium that he sent him a get-well message, following an injury nearly two years ago. Defour ended up in hospital after seriously damaging his foot and was amazed to open a letter containing words of encouragement from the United boss. After returning to full fitness, he admitted he knew United were ‘closely monitoring’ him and confided to friends he felt ready to test himself in the Barclays Premier League.

Personal information
Full name	Steven Arnold Defour
Date of birth	15 April 1988 (age 23)
Place of birth	Mechelen, Belgium
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Standard Liège
Number	8
Youth career
	Mechelen
Senior career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2002–2004	Mechelen
2004–2006	Genk	30	(1)
2006–	Standard Liège	124	(13)
National team
2006–	Belgium	30	(1)

Manchester United Transfer News and Rumours - Luka Modric

June 2011 Transfer News and Rumours Luka Modric (£20m, The Sun) - Paul Scholes' retirement has thrust the spotlight on a vacant creative midfield berth at Old Trafford, and Luka Modric has been repeatedly tipped to fill it. Now, according to The Sun (who we thank for filling this morning's column), Tottenham are virtually resigned to losing the Croatian to United. "The word is that Sir Alex has already spoken directly to Harry and said how much he admires Modric and how much he wants him," a Spurs source tells the paper. "And as much as Harry wants to keep him he knows United can make an offer we just can't refuse." The validity of the source was then thrown into doubt when he or she added that Joe Cole was being coveted as a replacement. Wind-up merchant?

Manchester United Transfer News and Rumours - June 2011

Samir Nasri (£25m, The Sun) - The Gossip would be nothing without sly winks, shrugged shoulders and ambiguous comments, and it's hard to imagine Samir Nasri wasn't rocking all three when he told French media over the weekend: "I don't know if I will sign a new contract with Arsenal. Discussions are ongoing and we'll talk about it this week. Do I want to go to United? First, we must see if it's real." The Sun pounced immediately after that interview to scrawl a £25million price tag on the 23-year-old.

Today Man Utd Transfer News and Rumours - June 2011

New Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours June 2011

Arriving
Wesley Sneijder (£30m, Metro)
Karim Benzema (not stated)
Hulk (not stated)
Erick Torres (not stated)
Gianluca Caprari (not stated)
Javier Pastore (£50m, Calcioline)

 

Running Total: 18 players, £265m

Leaving
Nicky Ajose (loan, various)
Tomasz Kuszczak (£4m, West Brom)
Darron Gibson (£6m, Sunderland)
Wes Brown (£6m, Sunderland/Bolton)
Danny Welbeck (loan, Sunderland)

Running Total: 11 players, £29.3m

Man Utd Transfer News June 2011 - Ricky Alvarez

Manchester United have joined the race for Velez Sarsfield star Ricky Alvarez.

Alvarez has been likened to Real Madrid star Kaka and Velez have informed both Arsenal and Manchester United that it will take £10 million for them sale. 

Ricardo Gabriel Álvarez, nicknamed "Ricky Álvarez", (born April 12, 1988) is an Argentine footballer who plays for Vélez Sársfield in the Argentine Primera División. He is a left-footed attacking midfielder.

Álvarez played his first professional game with Vélez Sársfield in 2008. Following his debut, he suffered a knee cruciate ligament injury that stalled his progression on the first team. He then was part of the 2009 Clausura winning squad, playing only 18 minutes in the 1–0 victory over Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy.

Man Utd Transfer News June 2011 - Jordan Henderson

Henderson had been linked with a move to Manchester United earlier in the season as his impressive form earned a full England debut against France in November and prompted the Sunderland manager, Steve Bruce, to value the 20-year-old at £20m. Now Liverpool are keen on the Sunderland-born talent and with their owner, Fenway Sports Group, allocating a substantial transfer budget to Dalglish, they have the means to prise Henderson away from his boyhood club.

Man Utd Transfer News June 2011 - Alexis Sanchez

Manchester United are shown an interest in the 22 year-old Udinese winger, but United will most certainly be put off by the astronomical figures quoted. 

Sir Alex Ferguson most certainly has at least £30 million to spend, but with a new goalkeeper and central midfielder Manchester United's prority, he will be in no hurry to spend over £30 million on a winger.

Man Utd Transfer News June 2011

The transfer window is open once more: release the rumours! Keep track of all the United tittle-tattle with The Gossip...

Arriving
Alexis Sanchez (£32m)
Jordan Henderson (£20m)
Ricky Alvarez (£10m)
Andre Santos (not stated)
Erick Torres (not stated)
Leandro Damiao (not stated)

Grand Total: 15 players, £215m

Leaving
Dimitar Berbatov (£13.3m, PSG)
Wes Brown (not stated, Everton/S'land)
Darron Gibson (Not stated, Sunderland)
Ritchie De Laet (not stated, Portsmouth)

Transfer News: Manchester United poised to sign Lens star - Raphael Varane

Manchester United have emerged as front-runners to sign the 18-year-old Lens defender Raphael Varane following the French club's surprise relegation.

Varane is regarded as one of the outstanding young players in the French game after breaking into the Lens team at the age of 17. Now 18, he was unable to stop them being relegated from Ligue 1 but has been commended for his mature performances after establishing himself in the side over the past two months.


The clubs are likely to compromise on a deal which the French side believe should be worth £10 million, and that the player could be immediately loaned out to another side in France’s top flight next term in order to aid his development and harbour his concerns of a lack of first-team opportunities at Old Trafford.


The fact Varane can also play in a holding midfield role will also appeal to Ferguson, especially as Owen Hargreaves's contract at Old Trafford runs out next month.


Real Madrid are also pursuing Varane, but United's long-term interest has given the Premier League champions a head start over the Spanish club.

Manchester United alerted after De Rossi linked with summer exit from Roma

According to dailymail.co.uk, Manchester United chances of signing Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi have been boosted by the news that the Italy international is considering his future with the Serie A outfit.

De Rossi has experienced a somewhat troubled stay at the Stadio Olimpico over the past three seasons and his representatives are believed to be pushing for an £18 million move away from Roma in the summer.

The Roma vice-captain recently separated from his wife whilst his father-in-law was shot dead. Furthermore, after openly admitting to a fallout with the Roma faithful, he has given his clearest indication yet that he open to a move, despite his boyhood ties with the club.

Man Utd Transfer News: United Target Mario Götze

Manchester United Transfer News 2011: United Target Mario Götze. Borussia Dortmund's Mario Götze, previously linked right here with a move to Old Trafford, has fuelled the speculative fire by saying: "Who would not dream of playing with a club like Real Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester United?"

Man Utd Transfer Target: Alexis Sanchez, Mbia, Januzaj, Götze, Ayew and Neuer

Udinese confirm Premier League bid for Chelsea & Manchester United target Alexis Sanchez. The 22-year-old winger is very highly rated and has been watched by Chelsea, Manchester United and Inter, among a host of other clubs. Udinese president Franco Soldati told Sky Sport Italia: "Two offers have come in for Sanchez. English and Italian teams want him. I cannot say who, but one Italian, and one English offer have arrived."

MBIA SETS SIGHTS ON MAN UNITED MOVE. Stephane Mbia admits he is hoping to use Marseille as a stepping stone on his way to joining Manchester United. The Cameroon midfielder has been regularly linked with a move to England in the past, with a host of clubs reported to have expressed an interest. He remains in France for now, and recently penned a contract extension at Marseille which will keep him at the club until 2014.

United are planning to sign 16-year-old Anderlecht winger Adrian Januzaj – the Belgian David Beckham, apparently – for £600,000. "His parents fell for the money of the English team", said general manager, Herman Van Holsbeeck. "The future will prove them right ... or wrong." 

Borussia Dortmund's Mario Götze, previously linked right here with a move to Old Trafford, has fuelled the speculative fire by saying: "Who would not dream of playing with a club like Real Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester United?"

Andre Ayew is dreaming of scoring at Old Trafford as Marseille dump Manchester United out of Europe. The Ghanaian will be among those the reigning French champions look to when they travel to England on 15th March. With their UEFA Champions League clash with United evenly poised following a goalless first leg, a place in the last eight is very much up for grabs. 

  

Schalke confirm Man Utd interest in Neuer. The German newspaper the Bild is reporting that both Bayern Munich’s Louis van Gaal is interested in signing Schalke’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and they confirmed that Manchester United’s Sir Alex Ferguson is interested in taking him to Old Trafford this summer.

Man Utd targetting Hugo Lloris as replacement for Edwin van der Sar switch in the summer

France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Manchester United as he bids to land the job as Edwin van der Sar's long-term successor.

The Lyon stopper is one of the most highly-rated custodians in the game and already has been capped 20 times by his country since making his debut aged 22 in 2008.

Sir Alex Ferguson as a known admirer but is thought to have previously been put off by an asking price in excess of £15million. Now, though, Lloris has urged the United boss to reconsider. 

'Manchester United is a great football club,' the 24-year-old said in the French press. 'They are one of the most successful clubs in the world, so, of course, Manchester is one of the clubs that make me dream.' ReadMore..

Watch Hugo Lloris "The Best No.1" Video

Hull City Sign Man Utd Striker Cameron Stewart

Latest United January Transfer News: Man Utd striker Cameron Stewart transfer to Hull City for an undisclosed fee.

The 19-year-old attacker was on loan at Yeovil Town earlier this season but joined Championship side Hull in November and has since made a string of impressive displays. His loan deal was initially extended until the end of the season, but the Tigers have moved to make the deal permanent.

And Hull have tied him to a contract until 2014, with boss Nigel Pearson saying: "We are absolutely delighted to have secured Cameron permanently.

"He is a player who has shown plenty of promise during his time here and he has a very bright future in the game."

Watch Cameron Stewart Video

UNITED Transfer News 2011 : Man Utd target Lyon left-back Bastos

The Daily Mail reports…

January 2011 transfer news. Man Utd target Lyon left-back Bastos

Sir Alex Ferguson moves for Lyon’s Michel Bastos as replacement for Patrice Evra
Manchester United have put Lyon left-back Michel Bastos on their list of possible targets to replace Patrice Evra. Sportsmail revealed in December that United had made an enquiry for Benfica’s £25m-rated Fabio Coentrao, wary that Evra is destined for either Real Madrid or Barcelona in the summer. They have also scouted Newcastle’s Jose Enrique who is being monitored by Bayern Munich. Bastos, 27, is a regular in the Brazil squad and was once a target for Tottenham but Lyon now rate him at a costly £20m.

Personal information
Full name	Michel Fernandes Bastos
Date of birth	2 August 1983 (1983-08-02) (age 27)
Place of birth	Pelotas, Brazil
Height	1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position	Left winger Left back
Club information
Current club	Lyon
Number	11
Youth career
1994–2001	Pelotas
Senior career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2001–2003	Feyenoord	0	(0)
2002–2003	→ Excelsior (loan)	28	(0)
2003–2006	Atlético Paranaense	10	(0)
2004	→ Grêmio (loan)	19	(4)
2005	Figueirense	34	(10)
2006–2009	Lille	97	(25)
2009–	Lyon	48	(12)
National team
2009–	Brazil	10	(1)

UPDATE: Man Utd January 2011 Transfer News

The 22-year-old was linked with United last month but the Daily Mail reports that Sir Alex Ferguson has been alerted to the fact the Benfica are already on the look-out for a replacement with Everton target Taye Taiwo of Marseille and Oscar Wendt of FC Copenhagen among the players they are looking at.

United are considering a bid for £20million-rated Coentrao, amid growing concerns over the future of Patrice Evra, who is still weighing up a possible move abroad at the end of the season.

 

Fábio Coentrão

Sir Alex Ferguson has change of heart over strengthening line-up

According to skysports.com, Ferguson has revealed he could make a single swoop in the transfer window to bolster his Manchester United resources.

However, the Red Devils have recently been linked with a move for Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra, as well as Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson and Newcastle full-back Jose Enrique.

And Ferguson has performed a U-turn on his earlier comments by admitting United could make a solitary signing this month.

Pepe Linked With Manchester United Move

According to puntershero.com, Manchester United are preparing to make a move for Real Madrid centre back Pepe after the defender failed to agree terms on a new deal in Madrid.