Big MO
14-07-03, 04:38 AM
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MANCHESTER UNITED last night agreed to dump Juan Veron on Chelsea for just £14million.
Old Trafford boss Alex Ferguson finally decided to cut his losses on the Argentine flop — exactly two years after paying £28.1m for him.
Midfielder Veron, 28, is the latest buy funded by the Blues’ new billionaire owner Roman Abramovich. The clubs have verbally agreed a fee and the deal could be done by the middle of this week.
Veron’s departure will come as a massive shock to Old Trafford fans, who expected him to emerge as United’s playmaker this season after the £25m departure of David Beckham to Real Madrid.
The South American gave the first hint he could be packing his bags a month ago when he was questioned on the prospect of playing in Italy.
He has enjoyed a love-hate relationship since his arrival from Lazio but has made 82 appearances, scoring 11 goals.
There were calls from some fans to sell him earlier but Fergie constantly rounded on those who put the boot in.
FERGIE ... cutting his losses
Yet the boss has now accepted Veron has not lived up to his billing.
The Chelsea deal means the Argentine has been involved in five transfers, worth a huge £76.2m.
Abramovich is desperate to bring a string of top names to Stamford Bridge and has swooped for £6m West Ham defender Glen Johnson and £6.5m Real Madrid ace Geremi.
But the Russian turned his attentions to Veron after becoming frustrated in his bid to sign Juventus midfielder Edgar Davids.
He is still trying to land Arsenal’s Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira and Inter Milan’s Christian Vieri.
United have been boosted by the news the Ronaldinho deal is on the verge of completion.
And they will also step up their attempts to land Real Betis wide boy Joaquin Sanchez.
United have already had one £11m bid for him turned down in the form of cash plus Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan.
RONALDINHO ... close
But the Spanish ace has refused to sign a new contract with Betis and the club are likely to accepted an improved offer.
Brazilian midfielder Ronaldinho took a step closer to Old Trafford after his club Paris St Germain snubbed the only other bid from Barcelona.
PSG coach Vahid Halilhodzic rejected the chance to take Argentine midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme and French centre-back Philippe Christanval from the Nou Camp.
That has left PSG with no option but to accept United’s £10m up front, a further £5m guaranteed and possible bonuses worth another £5m.
United are also expected to complete the £1.2m capture of American keeper Tim Howard, 24, tomorrow after he was granted a work permit.
MANCHESTER UNITED last night agreed to dump Juan Veron on Chelsea for just £14million.
Old Trafford boss Alex Ferguson finally decided to cut his losses on the Argentine flop — exactly two years after paying £28.1m for him.
Midfielder Veron, 28, is the latest buy funded by the Blues’ new billionaire owner Roman Abramovich. The clubs have verbally agreed a fee and the deal could be done by the middle of this week.
Veron’s departure will come as a massive shock to Old Trafford fans, who expected him to emerge as United’s playmaker this season after the £25m departure of David Beckham to Real Madrid.
The South American gave the first hint he could be packing his bags a month ago when he was questioned on the prospect of playing in Italy.
He has enjoyed a love-hate relationship since his arrival from Lazio but has made 82 appearances, scoring 11 goals.
There were calls from some fans to sell him earlier but Fergie constantly rounded on those who put the boot in.
FERGIE ... cutting his losses
Yet the boss has now accepted Veron has not lived up to his billing.
The Chelsea deal means the Argentine has been involved in five transfers, worth a huge £76.2m.
Abramovich is desperate to bring a string of top names to Stamford Bridge and has swooped for £6m West Ham defender Glen Johnson and £6.5m Real Madrid ace Geremi.
But the Russian turned his attentions to Veron after becoming frustrated in his bid to sign Juventus midfielder Edgar Davids.
He is still trying to land Arsenal’s Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira and Inter Milan’s Christian Vieri.
United have been boosted by the news the Ronaldinho deal is on the verge of completion.
And they will also step up their attempts to land Real Betis wide boy Joaquin Sanchez.
United have already had one £11m bid for him turned down in the form of cash plus Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan.
RONALDINHO ... close
But the Spanish ace has refused to sign a new contract with Betis and the club are likely to accepted an improved offer.
Brazilian midfielder Ronaldinho took a step closer to Old Trafford after his club Paris St Germain snubbed the only other bid from Barcelona.
PSG coach Vahid Halilhodzic rejected the chance to take Argentine midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme and French centre-back Philippe Christanval from the Nou Camp.
That has left PSG with no option but to accept United’s £10m up front, a further £5m guaranteed and possible bonuses worth another £5m.
United are also expected to complete the £1.2m capture of American keeper Tim Howard, 24, tomorrow after he was granted a work permit.