Manchester United chase Defour
Sir Alex Ferguson looks set to renew his interest in long-term transfer target Steven Defour. Fergie is a known admirer of the midfielder, even writing a personal letter to the Belgian when he suffered a nasty foot injury last year. Defour, 22, has been linked with a whole host of English clubs in the past, and it seems Ferguson is now set to make a concrete offer for the Standard Liege playmaker.
The United boss has made no secret of his need for an extra central midfielder especially with the likes of Owen Hargreaves and Anderson struggling with injuries and Michael Carrick way short of form. Paul Scholes can’t go on forever, despite his immaculate form of late, so Defour would fit the bill as a potential replacement for the Untied legend. The Belgian has been on record admitting a move to England would be extremely appealing, but Fergie would have to steal a march on Liverpool who apparently see Defour as a replacement for the wantaway Javier Mascherano.
It is believed Defour would cost United around £13m-£15m, but at just 22-years-old, represents an investment in a player with not just huge potential, but someone who has the quality and experience to command a place in the senior setup from day one. The Red Devils know the day will come when their beloved Scholes hangs up his boots, and Defour is one of the few players in Europe whose array of passing could resemble that of the mercurial Scholes. Buying from the Belgian league still represents a big gamble though because football there is played at a very different pace to the Premier League. Whether he could seamlessly fit into the pace and quality of the English top-flight would be an immediate worry for United fans, but he would come with an exciting reputation, and Red Devil fans would certainly welcome such a coveted player considering their general reluctance in the transfer market recently.
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