Tevez set for £32 million transfer

Manchester United are believed to have agreed a fee of £32 million to make Carlos Tevez a permanent member of the squad.

Tevez is currently owned by MSI and joined United from West Ham on a two-year loan. The player is expected to make his move permanent later in the year.

The £32 million transfer fee will make Tevez the most expensive player in English football. After an impressive first season at United it is clear why Sir Alez Ferguson sees the forward as part of the club's long term plans.

Last season, Tevez had a tendency of scoring at crucial moments during the campaign and also provided support and space for others. For a player of his age and quality I feel that the £32 million is justified.

Tevez is only 23 years old and has already shown us what a world class player he is. He has formed a great partnership with Wayne Rooney, the two being the main reason why Cristiano Ronaldo scored 42 goals last season and has also shown us his loyalty.

The Argentine had reportedly rejected an approach from Real Madrid this summer. Claiming he did not want to join the La Liga champions as he is happy to commit his future to United.

This is true commitment and it is what we the fans should expect from the players. Ronaldo needs to take a leaf out Tevez's book to understand what commitment is.

South Africa to legalize prostitution during World Cup

Football fans traveling to South Africa for the World Cup are in luck.

Members of the South African goverment are pushing forward plans to legalize prostitution during the games, temporarily that is.

Millions of tourists will be in South Africa and the assumption is that along with the football, they will also want alcohol and sex.

Officals claim that sex trade thirves during events such as the World Cup and if the proposal is pushed, then South Africa stands to gain economically. Due to the legalization, the goverment stands to receive extra tax revenue.

Along with the extra revenue, unemployment rates would fall as more people are able to work and also crime rates will fall because prostitution will not be considered a felony.

Additionally, legalizing prostitution will make it safer for everyone as it will be controlled.

The arguments against the proposal, other than the whole morality issue. Is that when people get used to the idea of paying for sex they will not want to give it up.

Tevez: United should let Ron go

Carlos Tevez has come out and said that if Ronaldo wants to go, he should be allowed to.

What was meant to be a summer of relaxation and rest after last season's triumphs. Has now become a summer of constant speculation and unrest surrounding our 42 goal midfielder, Cristiano Ronaldo. And I for one am getting sick of it, as I am sure the rest of you are.

Tevez is right that this is a personal descion for Ronaldo. If he wants to leave, United should not get in his way, but Ronaldo needs to come out and tell us his intentions. At the moment it seems as though he is toying with everybody and it is starting to appear like a PR stunt.

Ronaldo has reportedly been partying with Paris Hilton in the U.S., so prehaps it is an attempt to impress the ladies. I pressume Miss Hilton would prefer the Madrid sun over the Manchester rain.

Anyway, Tevez told AS,"The [United] team has great players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, of course,"

"It's clear that he is a very important player for us, but this is a personal decision, which is up to only him.

I understand Cristiano. Every footballer wants to play at Real Madrid. On the other hand, I also think that everyone wants to play for Manchester United, but if what he seeks is something else, I think that should be respected.

I have not talked to him, but when these things happen, neither side feels good."

Having taken a look at the AS website it seems that Real Madrid are paying for ad space. There was a huge Real Madrid banner when I first visited. Something tells me that Tevez may have been misquoted or what he said was taken out of context. Although I find that hard to believe considering Tevez speaks Spanish.

What ever the case, Ronaldo is out for three months and therefore cannot be transferred while injured. How else is he going to pass the medical?

Ronaldo needs to speak out about his future and what he intends to do soon or else he is going to be expecting a hostile reception at Old Trafford.

Scholes Set to Retire in Two Years

One of United's all time greats, Paul Scholes has admitted he does not expect to carry on playing for more than two season.

Scholes, now 33 years old started at United as a trainee and has remained there every since. The midfielder has been an integral part of the success United have experienced under Ferguson and he will undoubtbly be missed when he finally hangs up his boots.

The midfielder does not enjoy a high profile image compared to others at the club, such as; Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. You hardly see him in the tabloits, Scholes has always done his talking on the pitch and is one of the most consisent performers ever to have played for United.

Scholes said: "How long will I go on? I'd think two years at the most.

"I have one year left on my contract and hopefully I'll get another one but I suppose it all depends on how you're feeling and how you're playing.

"At the moment I just think two years would be about right."

Paul Scholes is a true professional in my eyes and he always produces a solid performance. A player like him does not come around so often, lets hope Anderson has what it takes to fill in his boots.

Manucho, Who?

Back in December, Sir Alex Ferguson signed a relatively unknown stricker from Angola. His name; Mateus Alberto Contreiras Gonçalves or better known as Manucho. The Angolan frontman impressed Ferguson during a three week trial to secure himself a 3-year contract.

As we are still not sure whether he will make the grade at United, his performances at the African Cup of Nations showed that the Devils have a pretty decent player on their hands. Even though he may lack the experience of playing in Europe, he may well prove to be a real threat for Premiership defenders if he secures a work permit, which i think he will based on his appreances for Angola so far.

With all the talk surrounding Berbatov, not much attention has been placed on Manucho. I consider Manucho to spring a few suprises when starts playing and gets used to United's style.

Manucho has already stated his determination to do well at the club and his time spent in Greece playing for Panathinaikos will have helped him to adapt to European football. He did well for the Greek outfit, bagging 4 goals in 7 apperances. He will also want to prove himself at Manchester and make a name for himself.

Sir Alex Ferguson would not have signed a player he did not feel was worth the bother and I will be axiously waiting for Manucho's league debut and how he fairs for the club. For now I just hope he gets the work permit as United only have Rooney and Tevez available for action, however Danny Welbeck is an intresting player to lookout for.

Man Utd Target Alexis Sanchez

Manchester United have reportedly had a bid for wonderkid Alexis Sanchez rejected.

The Chilean is valued at £15.8 million and is regarded by many in Chile as a developing global star. Alexis Sanchez is currently owned by Italian Serie A side Udinese, although he has not played a game for them yet. He has spent the last two seasons on loan at Colo Colo and River Plate.

Sanchez was instrumental for River Plate, helping them win the Argentine championship. His style of playing has left defenders in Argentina so frustated that they have resorted to delibaretly fouling the forward. In fact River Plate manager Diego Simeone was so concerned at the kicking Sanchez was receiving that he withdrew him from the starting XI and placed him on the bench.

Udinese are keen to hold onto their starlet and River are desperate to land him. However reports suggest that a bid of over £18 million will persuade Udinese to part company with the forward. Sanchez has also been reported to be seen as a long-term replacement for Manchester united's Cristiano Ronaldo, whose future at the club remains doubtful.

Sanchez's agent Fernando Felicevich has said that Manchester United had failed in one approach for the player. But did not rule out a renewed bid from United.

Udinese may want to see how Sanchez performs in Italy before deciding on any transfers. However the £15.8 million valuation is said to have been placed by Udinese to ward off any clubs intrested. Manchester United may not be put off by the price considering the money they spent on Nani and Anderson last season, United have shown that they will pay what ever is required in order to sign world class talent.

Sanchez has now linked-up with Udinese for pre-season training.

United Bidding For Berbatov

Spurs frontman Dimitar Berbatov is supposedly a target for the Red Devils. With the stories appearing in the papers, it seems that we may well see Berbatov in the red.
United are believed to be mounting a serious pursuit for the stricker, however their £24 million offer is below Tottenham's valuation of £30 million for the 27 year old.

Now, I do not doubt the Bulgarian's striking abilities but the price is making me have reservations as to wheather United should attempt to sign Berbatov. £24 million these days for a a striker of his calibre is a fair price, however £30 million for a 27 year old seems to be asking a lot. For that amount of money United could be investing in a young talent such as Dutch forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

My preferance would be Huntelaar. But Berbatov would not be a bad aquisition either, he has scored 27 goals for Tottenham over the last two season and established himself in the Premier League as a competent goal scorer. As long as United do not pay over the odds for him, I would not mind seeing him play for the Red Devils.

Let me know what you think.