SOCCER:Manchester United's pursuit of a striker has prompted them to lodge an inquiry with Bolton Wanderers about the availability of the France striker Nicolas Anelka, with the Premiership champions having already taken their potential summer spending beyond the £50 million mark with the purchase yesterday of Owen Hargreaves.
The England international followed the Portuguese winger Nani and Brazilian midfielder Anderson to Old Trafford, allowing Alex Ferguson to turn his attention to supplementing his striking ranks. His initial targets had included Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o and Dimitar Berbatov of Tottenham Hotspur, though they have effectively been priced out of his budget following this week's spending.
Another highly-rated striker, the Ajax forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who scored 23 goals in 34 league appearances in the Netherlands last term, has indicated he would prefer to remain in the Eredivisie for a further season, leaving Ferguson searching for alternatives. Anelka (28) has emerged as a surprise target. The France international moved to the Reebok from Fenerbahce last summer for a club record £8 million. He played a significant part in securing Wanderers' Uefa Cup qualification, scoring 11 league goals, but he is keen to compete again in the Champions League and has been unsettled by Sam Allardyce's departure.
Indeed, Allardyce had admitted he would listen to offers for Anelka this summer had he stayed at the Reebok. Sammy Lee, Allardyce's successor, is keen to retain the striker, however.
Hargreaves' arrival, confirmed some 24 hours after the two signings were secured in Portugal, ended a year-long pursuit of the England midfielder, with the 25-year-old expected to sign a five-year contract at the end of next month when he returns from a family holiday in his native Canada. The fee is understood to be £17 million, with Hargreaves to provide support for Michael Carrick, allowing Ferguson to use Paul Scholes more sparingly next season.
Aston Villa have emerged as favourites to sign Nigel Reo-Coker and are expected to agree a deal worth about £8 million with West Ham United for the England Under-21 captain next week. Reo-Coker has submitted a transfer request at West Ham and, although he has been strongly linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, it is understood Villa are close to winning the race for his signature.
Martin O'Neill returns from holiday today keen to complete the deal, which would take his spending since arriving at the club last summer beyond £20 million. The manager is set to embark on a major rebuilding programme before the new season and, with midfield a key area to strengthen, has earmarked Reo-Coker as the first piece of the jigsaw. It is believed the 23-year-old is excited by the prospect of playing under O'Neill.
Villa's financial strength in the transfer market and Scott Parker's anticipated arrival at West Ham should ensure the deal goes through smoothly. Reo-Coker endured a difficult last season at West Ham and was booed by some fans only months after coming within minutes of lifting the FA Cup. His form suffered amid reports he was unhappy after failing to secure a move to Arsenal last August but he remained an almost automatic choice and played a key part in helping the club stay in the Premiership. With Arsenal's interest cooling, Villa's bright ambitions under O'Neill have proved attractive to Reo-Coker.
His capture would represent a major coup for Villa and for O'Neill, who has already lured John Carew and spent £16 million on Ashley Young and Stilian Petrov. The manager is keen to buy Craig Bellamy but Liverpool would have to drop their £12 million asking price for the Wales international.
Meanwhile, Brazil coach Dunga will field what many consider his strongest available line-up for tonight's friendly against England at Wembley (BBC 1, 8.00), with Ronaldinho and Kaka in advanced midfield positions, breaking to support the strikers Vagner Love and Robinho.
The coach appreciates the magnitude of the occasion and has welcomed the return of David Beckham. "It's a historical situation but playing against England is always an important thing no matter where it is," he said. "I'm not surprised Beckham has been recalled because he's a great player and is doing well for Real Madrid; it's only normal that a coach should bring good players into his squad."
The seriousness Dunga exudes is in part dictated by the Copa America, which begins on June 26th. Brazil play a friendly against Turkey in Dortmund on Tuesday and a day later Dunga will announce his squad for the tournament in Venezuela. Brazil will attempt to reclaim the trophy they won emphatically in 2005 and are approaching friendlies with that in mind. "When I heard about this game I was happy to be the first opponent of England at Wembley," said Arsenal's Gilberto Silva, who is expected to assume a holding role alongside Mineiro. "
Guardian Service
