Benfica winger Angel Di Maria is next on Sir Alex Ferguson's
list
Sir Alex Ferguson has kicked off the January
transfer-window action by bidding for Benfica winger Angel Di
Maria. Ferguson has reacted to Manchester United's stuttering
defence of their title by offering £9million plus Nani for the
21-year-old Argentina international.
The United manager witnessed Di Maria's scintillating form at
first hand when he was at Goodison Park for the second leg of
Benfica's Europa League rout of Everton recently.
Yet it seems football is finally feeling the pinch this
winter.
The Premier League may have its nouveaux riches in Birmingham City and
Manchester City, or relative warhorses in United and Chelsea, but
there will be few grand unveilings over the next four weeks.
Indeed, we should not be surprised if to loan, beg, borrow or
steal becomes the motto of this January window.
In demand: Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero is
a target for both Chelsea and Manchester City
Business will be busy but bargains in the shape of
swaps, loans and free transfers will be the trend. The move
for Di Maria doesn't end Fergie's interest in a defender or
left-sided midfielder but he would prefer to delay further
recruitment until the summer. And he is not
alone.
Arsene Wenger has often been tied by Arsenal's purse strings but
he reasons it is not so easy to find what you want. 'Let's not
dream. You must be a magician to go out today and buy a player who
can play in the Champions League, who is free and who has
world-class quality,' he said.
'We haven't found what we want but there is money there.
Ideally, I would just like our injured players back. I always said
I would not buy any players if we had no injuries.'
The main focus is on Chelsea. Transfer embargo permitting, they
are the main attraction. Being based in London, top of the league
and blessed with a rich benefactor will appeal to the twinkling
toes of Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero and the brawn of
Wolfsburg's Edin Dzeko.
For Manchester City, transition is not as attractive to the
world's elite stars as being an established Champions League
contender. Roberto Mancini will certainly be a draw but defensive
recruits could be where he has greatest success.
Alex McLeish will find Carson Yeung's £40m budget a whole new
experience but even he is mindful of upsetting his improving side
with any 'big-time Charlies'.
He said: 'I think if Lionel Messi was coming, the players might
just accept that one. We want to maintain the spirit.'
Chelsea target: But Edin Dzeko, of Wolfsburg, also
interests AC Milan
On the radar: Luca Toni is another Chelsea possible