Transfer newsDiego Forlan's status as one of Alex Ferguson's most disastrous signings was confirmed last night when he moved to Villarreal, having cost Manchester United £750,000 for every Premiership goal he scored during his two-and-a-half seasons at Old Trafford.
United have refused to disclose the transfer fee but it is understood to be a fraction of the £7.5 million the club paid Independiente for the Uruguay striker in January 2002.
Ferguson has been trying to offload Forlan all summer but found few clubs willing to take a gamble on a player who took nine months to register his first goal in English football and managed only 10 in 63 league appearances.
Following the 25-year-old's weak performance in Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Chelsea, Villarreal were informed Forlan was available at a knockdown price and the Spanish club have persuaded him to take a significant pay cut from his £40,000 a week at Old Trafford.
Forlan was due to arrive in Spain last night and the transfer will be completed once he has taken a medical and agreed terms on a five-year contract.
Meanwhile, Newcastle manager Bobby Robson last night came out fighting after losing star defender Jonathan Woodgate to Real Madrid. The 71-year-old admitted he did not want the player to leave, but insisted Real's offer - which he claimed amounts to around £15 million - was simply too good to refuse.
"No one is pleased he's gone because we know what we've lost. At his best, he's the best in the country," said Robson. "I'm not cribbing about it. It's a business deal, a huge deal for the club and if it wasn't there's no way that Jonathan Woodgate would be allowed to leave this club. It was a huge offer for a centre half. He's gone and that's the end of it. We've got to get on with life."
Woodgate signed a four-year deal with Real Madrid with an option for a further year but it is understood a replacement has already been identified at St James's Park. Chairman Freddie Shepherd was giving little away however. "All I would say is watch this space," he said.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has completed his £20 million Spanish spree but three of his big-money signings will be sitting in the stand at Anfield when Benitez today takes charge of his first home game - against Kevin Keegan's Manchester City.
Antonio Nunez sustained a knee injury hours after being unveiled in midweek and also watching will be £10.7 million midfielder Xabi Alonso and £6 million utility striker Luis Garcia, who have signed fiv-year deals.
Both have completed their medicals but were not signed in time to face City - and they will not be able to play against Graz next Tuesday either because they have not been registered yet for the Champions League. Only full-back Josemi will appear today.
Republic of Ireland international Gary Doherty yesterday completed his move to Norwich and will join the Canaries' squad this morning. The 24-year-old, who signed a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee, has been bought chiefly as a defender.
Matt Holland will miss Charlton's game against Portsmouth this afternoon with an ankle injury he picked up in the opening-day defeat at Bolton.
