Yaya Toure and Jack Rodwell

Paper talk no doubt.

Manchester United are preparing a £25million raid on Barcelona for midfielder Yaya Toure.

Sir Alex Ferguson has targeted the 26-year-old Ivory Coast international as fears grow about Owen Hargreaves's ability to overcome the patellar tendinitis problems that have plagued his Old Trafford career.

Barcelona have already targeted Liverpool's Javier Mascherano to replace Toure in their engine room.

And if Rafa Benitez's resistance to selling the Argentina captain can be broken United will be encouraged to bid for Toure. Ferguson became aware that he needs to add a physical presence to his midfield during the Champions League capitulation to Barcelona in Rome.

Hargreaves was signed from Bayern Munich for £17m two years ago to fill a void that had existed since Roy Keane left.

But the England international, 28, has made just 37 appearances for the Reds.

Manchester United are reportedly ready to make a bid for Everton youngster Jack Rodwell, according to The People.

The 18-year-old defender has been impressing since he broke into the Everton first team last season, and is currently on international duty with the England Under-21 squad at the Under-21 European Championships in Sweden, where the Young Lions have booked a place in Monday's final.

The young defender has surprised everyone with his cool head and ability to slot into the first team at Goodison Park and with the injuries that the Toffees suffered last season, Rodwell eased them with his solid performances.

Now it appears the youngster has attracted the attention of a 'top four' team in Manchester United.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to bolster his squad as they prepare to defend their league title again next season, and it is believed that Ferguson is keen to sign the young Evertonian.

With FIFA trying to push through its '6+5' rule for the Champions League, United may have to field six players eligible for the national team, and Ferguson is keen to sign up the young defender.

Rodwell was given his chance in the Everton Under-18s aged just 14, and has gone on to make 21 league appearances for the first team without scoring.

Hasn't Toure just signed a new contract last week?. Everton would want £20m for Rodwell probably. Don't see either of them coming.

Yup

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...402952,00.html

Not arsed about Toure. Would love us to sign Rodwell.

Originally Posted by RedMenace

Hasn't Toure just signed a new contract last week?. Everton would want £20m for Rodwell probably. Don't see either of them coming.

£20m? How long did it take for you to make that figure up?

Like the look of Rodwell but Toure can gtf to £#%&!.

Not long. I didn't say they do want £20m or that he's worth £20m but if we came in for him they'd be so outraged at the thoughts of selling him they'd try and name a big price. He's young, highly rated and English. Plus they know we can afford it.

Originally Posted by RedMenace

Not long. I didn't say they do want £20m or that he's worth £20m but if we came in for him they'd be so outraged at the thoughts of selling him they'd try and name a big price. He's young, highly rated and English. Plus they know we can afford it.

Yes, I agree but if clubs start whacking £20m price tags on 17 year olds that are largely unproven, then the game is £#%&!ed.

He's worth an enquiry but I wouldn't want us to go above 6m

Originally Posted by wiganste

Yes, I agree but if clubs start whacking £20m price tags on 17 year olds that are largely unproven, the the game is £#%&!ed.

He's worth an enquiry but I wouldn't want us to go above 6m

I agree, but that is a touch optimistic.

£17m is the new £8m after all.

I agree but there's so many average players going for ridiculous sums of money, £6m would barely get you a good Championship player at the moment.

I'd take Rodwell. I'd also take Toure for single figures but wouldn't wanna be paying silly money for him.

Originally Posted by RedMenace

I agree but there's so many average players going for ridiculous sums of money, £6m would barely get you a good Championship player at the moment.

Michael Owen

There's a reason Stoke and Hull are the front runners for him.

Originally Posted by RedMenace

There's a reason Stoke and Hull are the front runners for him.

Planning for relegation

I would take them both. The transfer fee is irrelevent to me.

Ferguson became aware that he needs to add a physical presence to his midfield during the Champions League [final]

yes that was the first time he'd noticed

fergie should step down if he buys a defender this summer.

Originally Posted by marlo

fergie should step down if he buys a defender this summer.

Both are predominantly midfielders.


You've become very anti-Fergie in recent months marlo.

Originally Posted by marlo

fergie should step down if he buys a defender this summer.

Erm, Marlo, they are both midfielders. And Fergie will buy what he decides is required, you have no business saying what he should do.

Originally Posted by marlo

fergie should step down if he buys a defender this summer.

Originally Posted by Carrick

Both are predominantly midfielders.


You've become very anti-Fergie in recent months marlo.

Originally Posted by dunk

Erm, Marlo, they are both midfielders. And Fergie will buy what he decides is required, you have no business saying what he should do.

One of the Marlo's has only ever heard of Kolo Toure.