[Vidic15]

If United do not sign Tevez they are likely to turn their sights to Lyon striker Karim Benzema and Wigan’s Antonio Valencia.

And Ferguson’s transfer war chest will be boosted if India telecom company Sahara agree a £100million deal to take over from AIG as United’s shirt sponsors.

Sahara revealed yesterday they are to have further talks with Gill next week.

Daily Express

Few other rumors circulating today suggest Park and Nani and Kussi will be leaving this summer (Daily Mirror)

Valencia though has been one of the best players in the League since his move to Wigan.

Would be a great signing if it eventuated, but would likely mean the end of Park or Nani at United.

[Vidic15]

Sky Sports News understands Wigan have received bids in excess of £16million from Manchester United and Real Madrid for Antonio Valencia.

The Ecuadorian winger has long been linked with the two European giants and it is now reported that the pair have tabled offers.

United are searching for creativity after big-money signing Nani has failed to live up to expectations and Valencia is said to have impressed boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Real are desperate to overthrow Spanish and continental champions Barcelona and the 23-year-old was thought to be close to a move in the winter transfer window.

A switch failed to materialise, but it is now understood that newly-elected president Florentino Perez, who has pledged a return to the dazzling days of star signings from his first spell at the Bernabeu, is ready to test Wigan's resolve.

Valencia joined Wigan in 2006 in a loan move from Recreativo de Huelva and the deal was made permanent in January 2008.

The Latics are currently without a manager following Steve Bruce's move to Sunderland, but Roberto Martinez is expected to be unveiled as successor on Wednesday.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5367780,00.html

[Foxy]

Interested to see how Martinez does in the Prem, he was linked as our assistant manager last season..

Can't see Nani or Park going. Park's had too good a season and some of the stuff Fergie's said about Nani and Nani has said himself makes it seem unlikely.

[aditya_reds]

Wigan confirm Valencia bids

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has told Sky Sports News that Manchester United have made cash offers for Antonio Valencia.

It was reported at the weekend that Premier League champions United and Real Madrid had bid in excess of £16million for the Ecuadorian.

Real - who are set to pay United £80m for Cristiano Ronaldo - have since stated that they have not shown an interest in Valencia since January.

However, Whelan has declared that United have been in contact with JJB Stadium officials for the past two to three months and that they have also submitted offers.

He told Sky Sports News when asked about Valencia: "They (United) have been in touch with us and we will be starting negotiations very shortly, I would imagine.

"United have been in touch with us over Antonio over the last two or three months, expressing an interest and putting cash offers on the table."

He added: "Things will develop over the next seven to 14 days."

[shaunzo7]

Anything over £10million is far too much for this guy, that's the way the markets going now though. Major inflation.

[Vidic15]

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has told Sky Sports News that Manchester United have made cash offers for Antonio Valencia.

It was reported at the weekend that Premier League champions United and Primera Liga giants Real Madrid had bid in excess of £16million for the Ecuadorian.

Real - who have had a world-record £80m bid for United's Cristiano Ronaldo accepted - have since stated that they have not shown an interest in Valencia since January.

However, Whelan has declared that United have been in contact with JJB Stadium officials for the past two to three months and that they have also submitted initial offers.

He told Sky Sports News when asked about Valencia: "They (United) have been in touch with us and we will be starting negotiations very shortly, I would imagine.

"United have been in touch with us over Antonio for the last two or three months, expressing an interest and actually putting cash offers on the table.

"Those things have got to be picked up now. I think they were waiting to see if Ronaldo actually went to Real, which has happened."

He added: "Things will develop over the next seven to 14 days.

"The master, which is Sir Alex [Ferguson], he makes his moves when he is ready. He has strong interest in Antonio, there is no question in that.

"He had him watched practically every, single match last year. He has got a very strong interest in him. We are just sat on the fence now."

Whelan, though, is adamant that Wigan - who are currently without a manager following a backroom-staff compensation hitch in their attempts to appoint Roberto Martinez - are not eager to cash in on Valencia.

"We are not desperate to sell Antonio, I'm telling you. If I can keep that lad, I'm going to keep him. He is one brilliant player," added Whelan.

"So there is no pressure on me, or our football club to sell him. If Man United don't want to make a (written) offer, I'll be delighted and we will have him in our team next season."

But Whelan admits that he will not stand in the 23-year-old's way if he expresses a desire to move to Old Trafford and an asking price is met.

He said: "What is difficult is to stop a lad like Antonio Valencia, who has got ambition. It is difficult to stop a footballer, who wants to get to the very, very top of the ladder.

"I would never stand in the way of a footballer who can go to bigger and better clubs, and you can't get bigger and better than Man United.

"If Antonio Valencia says to me, 'chairman, I want to go to Manchester United' and we get the right fee, the deal will be done."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5376544,00.html

Ribery definitely my preference tbh. A far better player, but then again we haven't really seen what Valencia could do at a top club.

No doubt he's a talent, but and Claire, you are right. Sadly with the market as is, inflated prices are the norm. Chances are if we do get him, we'll pay well over the odds for him, but he'd still be cheaper than Ribery.

[shaunzo7]

The reality is that we're going to have to pay over the odds for anyone now as the whole footballing world knows we've got cash to spend now.

One problem I've got with Valencia that's niggling at the back of my head, is he slightly arrogant already? Perhaps I'm wrong but to me he seems like he's got a bit of a swagger about him and perhaps won't settle for not getting played all the time. What are your thoughts on his personality?

[Vidic15]

The reality is that we're going to have to pay over the odds for anyone now as the whole footballing world knows we've got cash to spend now.

One problem I've got with Valencia that's niggling at the back of my head, is he slightly arrogant already? Perhaps I'm wrong but to me he seems like he's got a bit of a swagger about him and perhaps won't settle for not getting played all the time. What are your thoughts on his personality?

TBH if your a reasonably good player arrogance comes with the territory. I'd like to think that he'll accept maybe being more of a squad player, because lets face it, it is a massive step up from Wigan to United.

[aditya_reds]

Valencia bound for United
Published Date:
15 June 2009
By Tony Dewhurst
Latics chairman Dave Whelan is confident Antonio Valencia will be a Manchester United player when the new season kicks off.
He expects the Premier League champions will make a new and improved offer once Cristiano Ronaldo completes his £80m world-record
transfer to Real Madrid.

That should free up Old Trafford chief executive David Gill to meet the asking price of £18m for the Ecuadorian.

And the deal could now be worth as much as £22m to Latics – who should finally appoint Roberto Martinez as their new manager this week.

Whelan said: "Manchester United have been in touch with us and we will be starting formal negotiations very shortly.

"I think they were waiting to see if Ronaldo actually went to Real, but things could move quite quickly now.

"United have been in touch with us over Antonio over the last two or three months, expressing an interest and actually putting cash offers on the table.

"Things should definitely develop over the next seven to 14 days I would imagine."

United first contacted Wigan once they learned of Real Madrid making a reported £16m bid for Valencia in January, and weeks later he produced a man-of-the-match performance in their 1-0 defeat to United at Old Trafford.

Whelan said: "If I could keep the lad, I would keep him.
"He is one brilliant player, but if Antonio says he wants to go to Manchester United and we get the right fee, the deal will be done."

[Vidic15]

The one good thing is we seem to have a very good relationship with Wigan.

I think we can safely say Valencia will be our first summer signing.

[Foxy]

Yes seems that way but 22m!?

[PenguinLover]

Yes seems that way but 22m!?

The prices are going to be inflated because everyone knows we got £80m from Ronaldo's deal and we still have our usual transfer kit..

The sooner we get a winger, the better..

[Sharpey]

if Valencia is 22 millions worth then we should've demanded a lot more for Ronaldo, coz there goes more than 1/4 of the kitty, and thats supposing Real Madrid really paid all the millions upfront, which Im sure they didnt

The fact is we're known throughout the world as not being the most savvy negotiators. Im not saying we're terrible but we aren't very good at all. Liverpool paid also 22 millions plus luis garcia for Torres if Im not mistaken

[Pedram]

Utd's not as silly as u think...

The transfer for Ronaldo is supposedly 80m cash up front...

When Utd buy players, however, they do so on cash per performance...
The maximum value is what the press quote, but the majority of times it comes up to much less, esp the players bought before the last 3 years...Rooney, Ronaldo et al...
Wigan will prolly get like 10-15m max, then the rest based on how many appearances and how succesful Utd are in the next couple of seasons...

[Foxy]

Of course but given our recent success and demands for success it is a fairly safe bet they get more or less the figure quoted.