Newcastle and Spurs are leading the chase for Wes Brown,
with Manchester United prepared to sell the England defender in
January rather than lose him on a Bosman free transfer in the
summer. The United hierarchy are unimpressed with Brown's refusal
to agree a new four-year deal and Ferguson is open to the
possibility of replacing him in the next month, despite his recent
good form.
The news of Brown's likely exit will sadden United fans, who regard
the Salford defender as a local hero, but the blow will be softened
if Ferguson is able to land Scotland international full-back Alan
Hutton from Rangers. Newcastle will appeal to Brown, whose former
United team-mate Alan Smith is leading the sales pitch for St
James' Park, but the smart money may be on Spurs.
Their manager, Juande Ramos, does not see Pascal Chimbonda as the
long-term answer at right-back and the Frenchman is linked with a
move away from White Hart Lane. Ramos admires Brown's versatility,
as he can play anywhere across the back four.
Brown, 28, joined United while still at school and was once rated
by Ferguson as the 'best defender in England'. But with six months
left on his deal, he is reluctant to accept less than half the
£120,000 a week agreed by Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.