Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Borussia Dortmund Demand £17.7m for Man United Target Shinji Kagawa

Shinji Kagawa
Borussia Dortmund general manager Hans-Joachim Watzke has warned Shinji Kagawa will not be allowed to leave the club on the cheap.

Kagawa, 23, has only a year left on his contract and has signalled his intent to move to the Premier League this summer, with Manchester United seemingly leading the race for his services.

However, given that Bayern Munich paid Schalke €22 million for Manuel Neuer last year when his contract had 12 months remaining, Dortmund are confident they can secure a significant fee.

“We all know the abilities of Shinji, his youth and the value he adds to this side,” Watzke told Sport Bild. “I also note what Bayern Munich paid for goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. He also only had a year left on his contract. Given those facts we can certainly expect a princely sum for him.”

Manchester United Transfer News: Berbatov Swap for Lewandowski?

Robert Lewandowski
Speculation today links Manchester United with a swap deal for Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski with Dimitar Berbatov going to the German side as part of the deal.

The Manchester Evening News’ report – which appears to be educated guesswork – claims that the clock is ticking before Lewandowski puts himself on a bigger stage as part of Poland’s Euro 2012 squad.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson watched the 23-year-old score a hat-trick as Dortmund defeated Bayern Munich 5-2 in the German Cup Final last weekend to complete their first ever league and cup double. There has already been an enquiry about Lewandowski from Old Trafford, according to his agent Maik Barthel, after Lewandowski turned down Dortmund’s initial terms of a new deal.

Manchester United target Eden Hazard undecided on future

Eden Hazard
Manchester United transfer target Eden Hazard insists he has not yet decided where he will be plying his trade next season, but admits Chelsea’s Champions League victory has made a potential switch to London more attractive.

Lille playmaker Hazard, one of Europe’s most sought-after rising stars, has been heavily linked with a host of big-name clubs including Barclays Premier League rivals United, Manchester City and Chelsea.

However, after scoring a hat-trick in what was almost certainly his final game for Lille on Sunday, the 21-year-old Belgium international said he had not made a decision on his future yet.

“I have not made my choice yet. I haven’t signed anything,” said Hazard, who said Chelsea’s triumph in Munich had provided him with further food for thought.

Manchester United season review - Champions deposed after a year of fine margins

Going into injury time on the final day of the season, Manchester United were on the verge of securing an unlikely 20th league title. The dramatic late events at the Etihad instead dealt heartbreak to the defending champions. With United comfortably seeing out a win at Sunderland, Manchester City were trailing 2-1 at home to QPR when a United-like comeback meant the Reds lost the Premier League title on goal difference, and went trophy-less for the first time in seven years.

Following a strong pre-season tour in the United States, the new campaign started in an positive fashion for the Old Trafford outfit. Manchester City were subjected to a stirring second-half comeback in the Community Shield at Wembley, with early signs of United's fluid attacking promise and sharp interplay up front.

Manchester United remain world`s most valuable football brand

Manchester United remain the world’s most valuable football brand with a market price of €672.9 million, despite ending the 2011-12 campaign without a trophy.

The Brand Finance Football 50 finds Sir Alex Ferguson`s side top of the pile again, even though it has been a season of disappointment for the Red Devils, with rivals Manchester City edging them to the Premier League title.

Despite losing the Champions League final to Chelsea on Saturday, Bayern Munich enjoy this year’s strongest growth, with a €230.3m increase in brand value that sees the Bundesliga giants take second place from Real Madrid.

Chelsea, City, United and Real Madrid in battle for Modric's signature

Luka Modric
Luka Modric is at the centre of a four-way tussle for his signature as Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Real Madrid all vie for the Tottenham midfielder's services.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has failed to tempt the Croatia international into signing an improved deal at White Hart Lane and now faces the real possibility their star midfielder will leave.

Modric has revealed he want to wait until after the European Championships to decide his future, but is expected to tell Levy Spurs' failure to qualify for the Champions League is his main reason for wanting to leave.