England
Fergie tries to sign Vieira for the THIRD time – David Mcdonnell, Daily Mirror

MANCHESTER UNITED are ready to lodge an £8million bid with Juventus to make it third time lucky in luring Patrick Vieira to Old Trafford.

The proposed deal between United and Juventus was described at the weekend in Italy as “very much a live situation”.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is determined to take advantage of Juventus’s relegation in the wake of the Italian match fixing scandal by capturing Vieira. He twice failed to sign Vieira when the towering midfielder was at Arsenal, and said after the last time he had “been down that road too many times before.”

But the United boss, on the club’s pre-season tour of South Africa, is confident of making it third time lucky in landing the 30-year-old in a cut-price deal.

Vieira is one of a galaxy of Juvent us star s who have become available following the club’s relegation to Serie B, and United are in pole position to sign the France international.

His agent is understood to have held talks with United over a potential move and the player is said to be keen on a move back to the Premiership after just one year in Italy.

And the French star kept his house in London in spite of being sold by Arsenal.

Fergie had hoped to land Tottenham’s Michael Carrick for around £12m, but that deal is likely to fall through if he can persuade Vieira to move.

The imminent £13m sale of striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid would make Vieira’s sensational move to United even likelier.

Van Nistelrooy and Vieira are sworn enemies after a series of bust-ups in the Premiership. But the departure of the Dutchman after five years at United would pave the way for the Frenchman to join United.

Only last summer Fergie admitted he would have made a move for Vieira had he known the midfielder had been put up for sale by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

And the United boss said he had “been down that road too many times before” with Vieira, who had in the past expressed a desire to join United only to renege at the last minute.

But his rejuvenated displays in helping France to reach the World Cup Final convinced Fergie of his enduring class.

United face competition from Inter Milan, Roma and Valencia, while Fergie is still hopeful of landing £20m-rated Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres, with Tottenham’s Jermain Defoe second choice.

(Man United needs to spend some transfer money to replenish a roster that seems to be inferior to that of rival Chelsea.)

Van favours Madrid move – Peter ORourke – Sky Sports

Ruud van Nistelrooy`s agent has revealed the player set his sights on a move to Real Madrid.

The Dutchman is looking for a new club after asking to leave Manchester United earlier this week.

Van Nistelrooy decided to look for pastures new after falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson at the end of last season.

Ferguson revealed that Real, Bayern Munich and another mystery club were all interested in securing the striker’s signature.

Van Nistelrooy’s agent Roger Linse has confirmed the 30-year-old favours a move to Madrid above the other interested clubs.

“We met with Manchester United to tell them Ruud thought that stage of his career was over,” Linse told Marca.

“We know that Madrid want him and the player is also keen to play there.

“Madrid is a dream for any footballer and also for Ruud.”

Reports in Spain suggest Real’s director of football Pedrag Mijatovic is in Manchester trying to thrash out a deal with United officials to take van Nistelrooy to El Santiago Bernabeu

(Why is Man U dumping Ruud?)

Czech Republic

Nedved agent claims Spurs bid – Vasek Kadlec – Sky Sports

The 33-year-old is considering his future following Juventus’ demotion to Serie B and Spurs have been quick to register their interest.

Spurs have been one of the busiest English side’s in the transfer market this summer, but they could now pull off one of the biggest coups in their history if they could persuade Nedved to end his career in North London.

Nedved showed during the World Cup finals he is still more than capable of playing at the highest level and he could not be attracted by a new adventure in The Premiership.

Zdenek Nehoda confirmed Tottenham, along with Monaco and Asia – were already keen.

“Pavel has the potential to play in a top European league,” Nehoda told CTK.

“Monaco, Tottenham and some clubs from United Arab Emirates and Qatar have come up with specific offers.”

(Clubs in the Arabian Peninsula have been very competetive in signing older footballers for huge sums of cash. Nedved could be the latest. )