SIR ALEX FERGUSON is ready to make a dramatic move for
England star Micah Richards.
The Manchester United boss has earmarked Richards as his
No1 target — and the news will push Manchester City into even
deeper crisis. Richards, 19, only recently signed a contract
designed to keep him at Eastlands until 2013. But his future is now
unclear as owner Thaksin Shinawatra plans a summer overhaul of the
club.
And Sport understands that a bid of around £25million would
be sufficient for Shinawatra to sell Richards, who is one of those
players said to be unhappy about the imminent departure of Sven
Goran Eriksson. Bizarrely, Shinawatra has put all player business
on hold for the foreseeable future. And I understand that could
lead to the departure of key stars such as Richard Dunne and Joe
Hart as well as the jewel in the crown, Richards.
Dunne, with just one year of his current deal left, has been
given the cold shoulder by Shinawatra even though the player's
agents have tried to get round the table to secure the defender's
future. And that looks certain to send Dunne, 28, into the arms of
Newcastle's Kevin Keegan. Hart's situation is just as worrying. He
signed a long-term deal when he joined from Shrewsbury less than
two years ago. But his wages do not match his first team status and
his progression to the fringe of England's senior team.
But it is the possibility that Richards could move across the
city that will outrage Blues most. Richards turns 20 next month and
while City are realistic enough to know that one of the Big Four is
likely to come calling, they had hoped he would stay for several
years. And there are also some people within the City hierarchy who
believe the club would be best served by selling Richards if they
got an offer well in excess of £20million.
From the player's point of view, a move to his club's bitter
rivals would be difficult. And he would have to accept that he
would be joining as a right-back - forming a dream back four for
Fergie of Richards, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice
Evra.
But United would be able to almost double his £45,000 a week
wages and Richards would be playing Champions League football.
Ideally, Arsenal would be the favoured destination if Richards was
to be sold by City but Ferguson rarely fails to land someone he has
labelled his number one target.
