Silvestre to Arsenal

Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre was last night on the verge of an astonishing move to bitter rivals Arsenal.

The 31-year-old France international had appeared to be on his way to Manchester City or Sunderland. But Sportsmail can reveal that Arsenal came in with a late offer to tempt Silvestre into one of the summer’s most unexpected transfers.

Sources close to the player revealed last night that the 31-year-old had been won over by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, one of his home country’s most revered coaches, and the promise of Champions League football at the Emirates.

Arsenal will expect to pay United around £750,000 for a player who moved to Old Trafford from Inter Milan in the 1998-99 season and will offer him £50,000-a-week.

What makes the deal so remarkable is that Wenger and his bitter rival, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, have never before traded players in the 12 years they have been in opposition in the Premier League.

The two men have often been in competition for the same player from overseas and have at times coveted members of each other’s squads. Wenger, for example, considered a move for David Beckham when he left United in 2003 and Ferguson always wanted former Gunners captain Patrick Vieira. But no deal between the two men has ever been close to coming off.

Silvestre, who has made 361 appearances for United in all competitions, was thought to be holding out for a testimonial next year when he turned down summer approaches from Bordeaux and Paris Saint-Germain in his homeland.

It was also thought that his family wanted to remain in the north-west.

But it appears the opportunity to join another top English club, especially one with such a strong French influence, proved too hard to resist.

Wenger wants to integrate Silvestre into a defensive unit that already contains Frenchmen Gael Clichy and William Gallas. The arrival of Silvestre — if the transfer goes through — would also probably spell the end for Arsenal’s unreliable Switzerland centre back Philippe Senderos.

Odd, that.

very odd, thought he was holding out for a testimonial

not that arsed anyway

another youngster for arsene.

Fergie is making a big mistake for letting him go to one of our rivals, especially for the fee mentioned.

i wonder now about 'enry. a softener per chance?

14 is the only prominent squad number left vacant?

hmmmmmmmmmmmm

Will leave Utd somewhat light in the defence. if we get 2/3 injuries to the first choice 4 then only Neville and O'Shea have any experience at all.

Fergie must have a lot of faith that Neville will get back to his pre injury status because Brown is now 3rd choice CB and is likely to play a lot of games there this season. Either that or Fergie expects the twins to be pushing for first team places very soon.

They will need to be, Heinze, Pique and now Silvestre will all have left and been replaced by Evans, the Brazilian and perhaps Cathcart.

Over the last 2 season Utd have had spells when various members of the back 4 were out, it will happen again, and to remove a player who gives good cover and indeed competition for places is somewhat odd especially for such a small fee..

Originally Posted by Tiberian

Will leave Utd somewhat light in the defence. if we get 2/3 injuries to the first choice 4 then only Neville and O'Shea have any experience at all.

Fergie must have a lot of faith that Neville will get back to his pre injury status because Brown is now 3rd choice CB and is likely to play a lot of games there this season. Either that or Fergie expects the twins to be pushing for first team places very soon.

They will need to be, Heinze, Pique and now Silvestre will all have left and been replaced by Evans, the Brazilian and perhaps Cathcart.

Over the last 2 season Utd have had spells when various members of the back 4 were out, it will happen again, and to remove a player who gives good cover and indeed competition for places is somewhat odd especially for such a small fee..

dont forget to factor in that he's gash.

Originally Posted by wonky no

dont forget to factor in that he's gash.

tbh, he's decent enough cover when needed.


Not the brightest of players by all accounts, but an experienced one nonetheless, and a good option to call upon when needed.

Originally Posted by £#%&! KFC

Wenger's made a bid now

that's why I posted this a couple of hours ago

Originally Posted by £#%&! KFC

that's why I posted this a couple of hours ago

any word on who the £#%&! we're buying??

I prefer it when there is no word on who we are buying. It means we are pursuing whoever it is properly and not courting them through the press.

Originally Posted by Elsey

I prefer it when there is no word on who we are buying. It means we are pursuing whoever it is properly and not courting them through the press.

a healthy spin

we've got injuries and absences up front and in midfield. so why not risk having no real defensive cover as well, eh?

Originally Posted by Tiberian

Will leave Utd somewhat light in the defence. if we get 2/3 injuries to the first choice 4 then only Neville and O'Shea have any experience at all.

Fergie must have a lot of faith that Neville will get back to his pre injury status because Brown is now 3rd choice CB and is likely to play a lot of games there this season. Either that or Fergie expects the twins to be pushing for first team places very soon.

They will need to be, Heinze, Pique and now Silvestre will all have left and been replaced by Evans, the Brazilian and perhaps Cathcart.

Over the last 2 season Utd have had spells when various members of the back 4 were out, it will happen again, and to remove a player who gives good cover and indeed competition for places is somewhat odd especially for such a small fee..

Should have kept Pique. Silvestre is at the end of his career so i can understand getting rid of him, but Pique could have offered us several seasons of decent cover, possibly even competition given time, he was a decent young player that just needed experience, i just dont understand why we got rid of him.

Originally Posted by Lou_Macari_Chippy

Should have kept Pique. Silvestre is at the end of his career so i can understand getting rid of him, but Pique could have offered us several seasons of decent cover, possibly even competition given time, he was a decent young player that just needed experience, i just dont understand why we got rid of him.

Pique wanted to go though, and to be fair to the lad, he needed to be playing first team football, or he was never going to develop.

I don't think we should be letting Silvestre go to be honest. I don't rate the bloke, but he's a better left back than O'Shea and we may as well let him go for nowt as for £750k.

letting litebulb head go is a masterclass . keeping him holds the youngsters back

The only reason it's 'astonishing' is because Silvestre is utterly shit at football.

Originally Posted by Zorg

The only reason it's 'astonishing' is because Silvestre is utterly shit at football.

yep ..

Just hope we don't put a clause in stopping him from playing against us.