Comment: Who will end up at United?

espnstar.com's Kelvin Leong takes a look at the array of attacking options supposedly on United's transfer radar.

Sir Alex Ferguson has yet to force the issue with transfers but the Red Devils seem intent on landing one of the top striking talents in Europe.

Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid)

With the Merengues pushing the envelope with regards to Portuguese winger, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ferguson has made an attempt to give Calderon and his men a taste of their own medicine by suggesting his interest in Dutchman, Sneijder, who was instrumental in the Netherlands' Euro cup run.

Not an out and out striker, Sneijder can play in the withdrawn role behind the target man and make the late runs into the box to support the chief striker.

Madrid are said to be willing to allow Sneijder to leave as they look to raise funds for their Ronaldo bid but the player himself has stated his intentions of staying with the Merengues so it looks a lost cause.

Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham Hotspur)

A US$49m bid from United has apparently been put through to the Daniel Levy and the Spurs board in recent weeks and the Bulgarian captain is keen to get back into Champions League football.

A classy striker with a slight resemblance of a famous United legend, Eric Cantona, Berbatov will prove to be an instant hit with the United fans.

The only thing holding the deal back is Ferguson's concerns as to whether the Bulgarian will cause disharmony amongst the squad if he does not start every game like he wants to.

Klaas Jan-Huntelaar (Ajax Amsterdam)

One of the best strikers in Europe not to be playing for a big club. Jose Mourinho of Internazionale has had his attempt to sign Huntelaar rejected as the Dutch forward prefers a chance to play in England or Spain.

Ferguson has been a long time admirer of the talented hitman who can lead the line and pile on the goals but will have to try and bid for the tall striker before incoming Ajax coach, Marco Van Basten takes over. Van Basten has been trying to persuade Huntelaar to stay with Ajax for another year or two.

Michael Owen (Newcastle United)

The injury-prone Englishman is said to be United's choice of replacement if Ronaldo does make the move to Spain but one has to wonder how much truth there is in this rumour.

Owen has never had a full season where he is healthy. Ferguson will not be want to bring in a player who is going into the last few years of his career and risk having him out injured for much of the season.

His rumoured transfer to United might just be an effort to send out a big-name signing message to the fans who are afraid of their club crumbling once their talismanic winger leaves.

Rafael van Der Vaart (Hamburg)

Another Dutch midfielder who has impressed at Euro 2008. Once touted as the messiah of the Dutch side, he has the vision and passing ability to pry open the tightest backline.

A lot of Europe's biggest clubs like Internazionale, Juventus and Barcelona are all said to be interested in his services so unless Ferguson is willing to get himself involved in a bidding war, chances of the Dutchman landing at Old Trafford looks odd.

Verdict - Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham Hotspur)

Berbatov wants a move to United and Spurs are willing to sell. Ferguson's patience while trying to bid for the other players might run on thin ice in the next two weeks as he looks to bolster his squad fast and this might just end up where it all started.

The Bulgarian was the first choice to arrive at Old Trafford and I very much expect him to.

I have a feeling United are not forcing the issue with Spurs yet so as to let Berbatov put in a transfer request which might just lower his price as Juande Ramos attempts to cash in on the temperamental forward before he throws up a fit and causes disharmony amongst the Lilywhites.

0 comments: