Press Watch: Laporta linked with bid for Van Nistelrooy
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Despite his failure to land David Beckham, the new Barcelona president Joan Laporta is clearly unabashed about launching another ambitious scheme. According to the Mail on Sunday, Laporta now has his sights set on Ruud van Nistelrooy and is prepared to offer Patrick Kluivert plus £15m to persuade Manchester United to exchange one Dutch striker for another.
Sir Alex Ferguson appears unlikely to be tempted, however. The People says the United manager is to return from his summer break this week to give Ronaldinho a personal tour of Old Trafford and is also ready to tempt Harry Kewell from Leeds after being given permission to talk to the Australian. The Sunday Mirror, which says United's £10m bid for Ronaldinho is likely to win Paris St-Germain's favour ahead of Newcastle's offer of cash plus Laurent Robert, reckons Ferguson is ready to move for Blackburn's Damien Duff and the Tottenham full-back Stephen Carr, while the News of the World believes United have clinched the signature of Nantes's Cameroon midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba.
The Mail reports that Newcastle are to turn to Charlton's Paul Konchesky after rejecting Tottenham's demand that the striker Shola Ameobi be part of any deal for Carr and are close to agreeing a £3m deal with Feyenoord for Brett Emerton. The same paper reckons Newcastle have turned down a West Ham bid to swap striker Frédéric Kanouté for Carl Cort and says they are open to offers for the winger Nolberto Solano.
Liverpool will switch attention to Internazionale's Uruguayan striker Alvaro Recoba if they fail to land Duff, according to the News of the World, which says Arsenal are favourites to land the 22-year-old Brazilian striker Ilan from Atletico Paranense, with another Brazilian, the Bayer Leverkusen defender Lucio, on Arsène Wenger's shopping list if he cannot land Philippe Mexes from Auxerre. The People says Arsenal are talking to the Barcelona midfielder Philip Cocu and reckons Blackburn have lined up Sunderland's Claudio Reyna to replace Duff. Tottenham are eyeing Charlton's Scott Parker and Manchester United's Diego Forlan, the News of the World reports.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments