THE SUMMER transfer window is nearly upon us and the rumour mill is in full spin. Here’s a roundup of what’s on the grapevine.
Roberto Mancini has been told to forget a zealous double swoop for AC Milan pair Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva.
"There are so many clubs interested in Giovinco, big clubs, across Europe."
The City manager was rumoured to be considering a £65m bid for the Serie A duo, with either Carlos Tevez or Mario Balotelli being used as a makeweight.
Considering Silva is almost unanimously considered the best defender around at the moment, and Ibrahimovic finished top scorer in Italy last season with 28 goals, City have probably got about as much chance of tempting Milan boss Allegri to trade as they would if they sent Roque Santa Cruz and Michael Johnson his way.
However, according to Parma starlet Sebastian Giovinco’s agent – who claims the Premier League champions are in the mix to sign his client - City’s Serie A raid goes beyond Milan.
The minuscule forward, who’s only 5ft 4, is currently co-owned by Parma and Juventus. Yet, his agent, Claudio Pasqualin, told Sky Italia in one of the most blatant stirs of the proverbial payday pot you're likely to see this season: "There are so many clubs interested in Giovinco, big clubs, across Europe."
Across Manchester Sir Alex Ferguson is being urged to move quickly if he’s got ambitions of signing Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski.
United target Robert Lewandowski
The 23-year old Polish international is currently valued at around £18m, but the German champions will likely be increasing their asking price significantly should he enjoy a successful Euro 2012.
Everton playmaker Leighton Baines is another who appears to have caught the attention of Old Trafford, and United have reportedly sent David Gill to strike a deal with Bill Kenwright.
Gill went to Bill and offered 12 mil. But Bill told Gill that he wants at least 15 mil, so he might as well go get up out his grill.
The Baines rumours will be unpleasant listening for Patrice Evra who, at the age of 31, could be forced to wind down his United career after six years at the club.
Meanwhile, United’s long-standing central midfield problem could finally be moving towards a positive resolution as the club are reportedly listening to offers for injury-plagued Anderson.
The 24-year-old Brazilian has made just ten appearances this season, and it looks as though Sir Alex Ferguson has lost patience with the floundering wonderkid.
Blackpool are thought to have fended off interest for highly-rated defender Ashley Eastham, who was on loan at Bury last season, by activating their contract option on him.
Eastham was one of Richie Baker’s key players last season, steering the The Shakers to a comfortable mid-table finish in League One, but now looks set for life in The Championship with Blackpool.
And finally, occasional footballer Michael Owen has emerged as a surprise target for newly League Two side Rochdale.
Owen to Rochdale? It's on.
The former Real Madrid and England striker, who has not scored since United’s visit to Aldershot in the fourth round of the League Cup in October last year, has been told he is not being offered at new contract at Old Trafford, and is looking for other clubs.
A source close to the striker said: “Michael still feels he has a lot to offer a Premier League club but I keep telling him, ‘Mike, if nobody fancies you anymore, just suck it up and go to Rochdale mate.’”
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