Wanted: Europe's big clubs are tracking
Evra
Manchester United are braced for a raid from Barcelona and
Juventus for left back Patrice Evra.
Barca intend to add both a right and left full-back this summer
and have been alerted by claims that Evra is considering his future
at Old Trafford.
The 29-year-old is a key man in the Manchester United defence
and recently spoke of his pride at being an Old Trafford player,
but reports in Spain say he is looking for a new challenge.
Real Madrid and Barca have long tracked Evra, but the former are
currently more intent on signing Ashley Cole from Chelsea now that
Jose Mourinho is in charge at the Bernabeu.
Barca are keen to strengthen a position where neither Eric
Abidal or Maxwell have entirely convinced, but the Spanish
champions are also tracking Arsenal's Gael Clichy.
Despite revelations that Barcelona are in talks with banks about
a £125million loan, new president Sandro Rosell insists he has £80m
to spend this summer and hopes to have more than half that amount
left after swooping for Arsenal captain Fabregas.
Reports in Italy say Juventus are also tracking former Monaco
player Evra, who has two years left on his current contract.
Real deal: Jose Mourinho is hoping to tempt Chelsea
defender Cole to Madrid
The Italians are also bidding to take Martin Caceres on loan
from Barcelona for another season, but Evra would be a marked
improvement on the Uruguay left back.
Ferguson criticised his occasional captain for being at the
centre of France's World Cup meltdown this summer, when players
refused to train following Nicolas Anelka being sent home from the
squad.
The Daily Star newspaper claims that Ferguson has given Evra a
month off to recover from the debacle and a gruelling season in
which he played 60 games - more than any other United player.
The Carling Cup winners' other World Cup players have been given
three weeks off before reporting back for pre-season
training.
