Nemanja Vidic’s future uncertain, Kaka and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to be swapped
Manchester United have not been one of the most active clubs in the transfer market since the end of 2009-10 season. Red Devils have made just 2 signings; the Mexican striker Javier Hernandez and the Fulham defender Chris Smalling.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson though is worried about one of his key players planning to leave old Trafford. The player in question is central defender Nemanja Vidic. Ferguson said he is not sure whether the Serbian will be part of the team or not once the season starts.
The Serbian captain has been linked to several clubs ever since the season ended, Real Madrid are believed to be the most likely contenders to attain his services.
There have been several reasons that point towards Vidic parting ways with the Red Devils. It is said that Vidic asked for a significant pay raise during the off season. The club though refused to comply. Another big reason is said to be his wife who has long been unhappy at Manchester.
Manchester United is on a pre season tour in United States. Red Devils beat Philadelphia Union 1-0 in their latest match. After the match Ferguson was asked about the defender’s future and the Scotsman said that at this moment it is really not certain so a conclusive answer cannot be given.
The unclear answer by the manager does suggest that Nemanja Vidic may well be on his way out of Old Trafford. Rio Ferdinand and Vidic had once formed one of the best defensive partnerships in Europe and Ferguson will really have to find someone capable enough at the heart of former champion’s defence before the season kicks off.
Talking about transfers in the off season, there is some new news coming out of Spain. It is believed that Barcelona is ready to enhance their star power by luring in the Brazilian star midfielder Kaka from Real Madrid. Reportedly it will be a swap deal, which will see Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic going to Real Madrid.
The deal has the potential to be probably the most sensational one if it actually does go through. There is an age old rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona and any player who swaps one for the other has not found it easy to adjust and win over the fans at the new club. Prime examples are the Brazilian forward Ronaldo (Barcelona –>Inter Milan-> Real Madrid), former Portuguese captain Luis Figo (Barcelona to Real Madrid) and the former Real manager Bernd Schuster, who in his playing days went the other way (Real Madrid to Barcelona).
Ironically Ibrahimovic came to Barcelona on a swap deal that saw the Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o going to Inter Milan. Kaka and Ibrahimovic both came to Spain before the 2009-10 season began and there was huge hype surrounding both players.
Still neither of them was able to find his feet in Spain and both have been struggling at best. Kaka, last season, decided not to join Manchester City despite a record 100 million pound offer, instead signed for Madrid following a 55 million pound deal, but the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo stole his thunder.
Ronaldo did become the centre of attention at Real and to make matters worse Kaka encountered some injuries last season. Overall it was a disappointing season for the Brazilian playmaker. Ibrahimovic on the other hand also was not on his game at all. In the first few games it did look as if he had brought his goal scoring boots with him from Italy, but as the season went on it became more of a frustrating season for him too.
Details about the alleged deal are yet to be unveiled and both clubs are tight lipped for now, but when the wheels are set in motion in the speculated deal the whole of Europe will stand up and take notice.
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