Utd Close to sigining Barcas Pique

kida

Sky Sports

One for the future methinks

NightStrike

They're really going for the whole youth approach. Will be interesting to see him in action. I'm sure he'll get a League Cup game next season maybe. What age is he exactly? Said U-17 international but maybe thats past tense?

Big Ears

quote from article : Chelsea tried to hijack the deal at a late stage .

Man United maybe should make a bid for Bogarde then Chelsea will offer him a new contract .

Pepe LeFrits

If it's true, seems to be only in rumour form right now. The story was run by AS, I can't find much else online about it... Soccer-Spain rate the story as unlikely.

Bannor?

NightStrike

hmm... the one thing I'd say about SkySports is that if its on it its usually true. Time will tell.........

Bannor

Originally posted by kaids
If it's true, seems to be only in rumour form right now. The story was run by AS, I can't find much else online about it... Soccer-Spain rate the story as unlikely.

Bannor?

Most likely the story is led by an agent. There are elements of truth to it but that is all at the moment - officially.

Man Utd made an enquiry earlier this year. Arsenal expressed an interest last summer but signed Clichy instead. Chelsea have never approached the player.

Man Utd have made offers for young players and Chelsea have come in to hijack the deal (Robben for example). More recently :
Addai (Feyenoord) - has a trial with Chelsea.
Kompany (Anderlecht) - Man Utd dropped their interest once Chelsea came on the scene.
Litjens (Roda JC) - has a trial with Chelsea.

The player isn't going to get first team football at Barcelona for some time yet. If they don't sign Del Horno (23) from Athletic Bilbao after Euro 2004, they'll be signing him next year. They've also lined up Belletti (27) from Villareal for the other full back position.

The player's contract is up for negotiation but Barcelona are in no rush at the moment, they're concentrating on securing the first team for next season before the European Championships start.

Barcelona would listen to offers for the player if they receive them, but they haven't yet. If there are negotiations between the agent and Man Utd then it is without Barcelona's knowledge.

Pepe LeFrits

I can't find any bio information on him anywhere, but is he not under 17? If he is, I would have thought that Barcelona would have no say in his transfer, only that if he left they would be due compensation...?

woosaysdan

i suspose united had soo much success with their youths before maybe there trying to repeat this again!!!

Bannor

Originally posted by kaids
I can't find any bio information on him anywhere, but is he not under 17? If he is, I would have thought that Barcelona would have no say in his transfer, only that if he left they would be due compensation...?

He's 17 - his birthday was in January/February. He has a contract with Barcelona but it's only a token one. Barcelona are no longer about developing talent, they are quite happy to let the young players go and buy in the more developed players.

Last year they allowed Francesc Fabregas to join Arsenal for a nominal fee. He's one of the most exciting young players in European football. He was player of the tournament in the World Youth Championships last year. Now he's the youngest player ever to start a first team game in Arsenal's history and he scored in the game too. He also made the bench for one of their Champion's League games this year - not bad for a 16 year old.

Pepe LeFrits

Originally posted by Bannor
He's 17 - his birthday was in January/February. He has a contract with Barcelona but it's only a token one. Barcelona are no longer about developing talent, they are quite happy to let the young players go and buy in the more developed players.

ah right... Perez at Madrid and Barca letting their best young players go, there must be something in the water over there!

Last year they allowed Francesc Fabregas to join Arsenal for a nominal fee. He's one of the most exciting young players in European football. He was player of the tournament in the World Youth Championships last year. Now he's the youngest player ever to start a first team game in Arsenal's history and he scored in the game too. He also made the bench for one of their Champion's League games this year - not bad for a 16 year old.

He also played for the Catalunya XI against Brazil (seniors, not any age bracket) recently and played in the U17 European Championship Final, as did Pique. They lost 2-1 but from what I heard they were very unlucky, Pique got Spain's goal and Cesc hit the bar.

Bannor

FERRARI OFFERED ENGLISH MOVE (Sky)

I've been told that Matteo Ferrari has already agreed a deal with Roma, but this could be Parma trying to secure a better price for the player. The mystery club is most likely Man Utd - they made an enquiry two weeks ago.

The Muppet

Originally posted by Bannor
FERRARI OFFERED ENGLISH MOVE (Sky)

I've been told that Matteo Ferrari has already agreed a deal with Roma, but this could be Parma trying to secure a better price for the player. The mystery club is most likely Man Utd - they made an enquiry two weeks ago.

I heard that Ferreira was going to Chelski.

Ferreira confirms Chelsea move
Monday June 07 2004


Portuguese international Paulo Ferreira will join Jose Mourinho at Chelsea next season.

The FC Porto defender is set to move to Stamford Bridge in a £13.5million deal and join up with his former mentor, who was officially appointed as Claudio Ranieri's replacement last week.

Ferreira had been a target for Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson as well, but again the Red Devils have missed out as the 25-year-old confirmed his imminent move to west London.

"It is a lot of money for a defender, there is no doubt about that," he told Portuguese newspaper 24Horas.

"Of course I am extremely satisfied. Only those who watch me play and who know me can say £13.5m is justified."

Porto teammates Deco and Costinha have also been mentioned as possible targets, but club president Jorge Pinto da Costa is understandably reluctant to see his Champions League-winning squad disintegrate.

The Muppet

in the next few days.

United to pick up Pique
MANCHESTER United will confirm the signing of talented Spanish youngster Pique in the next few days, according to reports.


United are thought to have beaten off interest from Arsenal and Chelsea to snap-up the 17-year-old defender on a five-year deal.

Though normally a centre back, Pique can also play at left back and would bring extra versatility to United's defence.

He would be unlikely to feature in the first team next season, needing at least another year before he's ready to tackle the physical demands of the Premiership, but he is seen as a player who undoubtedly has the talent to be a future star at Old Trafford.

crowl

Ferrari

Ferreira

It aint a spelling mistake

The Muppet

What would we do without the spelling police EH ?

It aint a spelling mistake

BTW there is no such word as "aint".:D

crowl

hehe. no I was just saying that its 2 different players