Sir Alex Ferguson faces Manchester United rethink over Luka Modric
Luka Modric has long been a target for United but seems destined for Real Madrid The return of Nemanja Vidic will be like a new signing for Sir Alex Ferguson but United fans will just be hoping thats not the extent of their business this summer.
As Luka Modric edges ever closer to a move to Real Madrid, Ferguson looks set to have to shift his focus once again in the search for the players to challenge Citys superiority in the Premier League and make a serious dent on Europe next season.
While news of Vidics return from knee-ligament damage is a significant boost ahead of the new campaign, it will be only small consolation if United miss out on yet another major target.
Modric is still to seal a move to the Bernabeu, but it is looking like a depressingly familiar story from Uniteds perspective.
Ferguson has already missed out on Eden Hazard in his attempts to add a marquee signing to the side that missed out on the title by goal difference last season.
The Belgium playmaker who was also tracked by City ultimately opted for a move to Champions League winners Chelsea, providing a slap in the face to Uniteds ambitions.
It is generally accepted that had Roberto Mancini been serious enough about Hazard then City would have been able to outbid even Chelsea.
Uniteds situation was different banking on their reputation and the appeal of working with Ferguson to lure the 21-year-old to Old Trafford.
The new reality for the side that finished potless last term is that it will take more than their name and history to fend off the mega-money on offer elsewhere.
Should Modric choose Real, it would be seen as less of a snub rather an inevitability that the games top players find it almost impossible to resist either of Spains b! ig two w hen Madrid or Barcelona come calling.
And even without the interest of the Spanish champions, United would be reluctant to meet Tottenhams valuation of more than 30m for the Croatian international.
It was always the case that Spurs would have to significantly reduce their expectations for Ferguson to do business.
And so he has been forced to dig around for bargains once more focusing his attentions on the relatively inexpensive Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell as he rebuilds his squad.
Japanese international Kagawas fee could rise to 17m after completing a move from Borussia Dortmund, while Crewe starlet Powell signed for around 4m.
That pales in comparison to what it will take to prise Modric away from White Hart Lane or the 35m Chelsea stumped up for Hazard.
There is general excitement around Old Trafford at the arrival of Kagawa a player who shone above such stars as Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben and Mario Gotze in the Bundesliga last season.
While the capture of a promising British talent in Powell is particularly encouraging with the Reds having seen Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain head elsewhere in recent years.
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But the question being asked by United supporters is if the club will ever compete at the top end of the market again having failed to break the 30m barrier since
signing Dimitar Berbatov four years ago?
For all Uniteds in! terest i n Karim Benzema, David Villa, Wesley Sneijder and Hazard, they have failed to land any of those world stars.
Massive sums have been paid for the potential of David de Gea (18.9m), Phil Jones (16.5m) and Kagawa but they havent even spent more than 20m on anyone since Berbatovs club record 30m arrival from Tottenham.
Which is why Fergusons interest in James Rodriguez is so intriguing.
Sources in Portugal claim it would cost in excess of 30m to land the Porto winger, who is described as the new Ronaldo.
Having tried so hard to sign Hazard, it is clear Ferguson believes his side is in need of more flair, despite already having Ashley Young, Nani and Antonio Valencia in his ranks.
While Modric is a player who provides flair, his best work is carried out in deeper lying positions, rather than out wide or in support of the strikers, as is Hazards game.
He would be the player to naturally succeed Paul Scholes as a midfield schemer the type of player Ferguson has spent the best part of three years trying to find.
And it is still in the heart of midfield that Ferguson must surely strengthen as he plots Uniteds title bid to wrest the title back from City.
Portugals Joao Moutinho and Newcastles Yohan Cabaye would prove cheaper options if Modric does end up at Real and United are forced to adjust their sights and their place in the modern age of football.
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As Luka Modric edges ever closer to a move to Real Madrid, Ferguson looks set to have to shift his focus once again in the search for the players to challenge Citys superiority in the Premier League and make a serious dent on Europe next season.
While news of Vidics return from knee-ligament damage is a significant boost ahead of the new campaign, it will be only small consolation if United miss out on yet another major target.
Modric is still to seal a move to the Bernabeu, but it is looking like a depressingly familiar story from Uniteds perspective.
Ferguson has already missed out on Eden Hazard in his attempts to add a marquee signing to the side that missed out on the title by goal difference last season.
The Belgium playmaker who was also tracked by City ultimately opted for a move to Champions League winners Chelsea, providing a slap in the face to Uniteds ambitions.
It is generally accepted that had Roberto Mancini been serious enough about Hazard then City would have been able to outbid even Chelsea.
Uniteds situation was different banking on their reputation and the appeal of working with Ferguson to lure the 21-year-old to Old Trafford.
The new reality for the side that finished potless last term is that it will take more than their name and history to fend off the mega-money on offer elsewhere.
Should Modric choose Real, it would be seen as less of a snub rather an inevitability that the games top players find it almost impossible to resist either of Spains b! ig two w hen Madrid or Barcelona come calling.
And even without the interest of the Spanish champions, United would be reluctant to meet Tottenhams valuation of more than 30m for the Croatian international.
It was always the case that Spurs would have to significantly reduce their expectations for Ferguson to do business.
And so he has been forced to dig around for bargains once more focusing his attentions on the relatively inexpensive Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell as he rebuilds his squad.
Japanese international Kagawas fee could rise to 17m after completing a move from Borussia Dortmund, while Crewe starlet Powell signed for around 4m.
That pales in comparison to what it will take to prise Modric away from White Hart Lane or the 35m Chelsea stumped up for Hazard.
There is general excitement around Old Trafford at the arrival of Kagawa a player who shone above such stars as Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben and Mario Gotze in the Bundesliga last season.
While the capture of a promising British talent in Powell is particularly encouraging with the Reds having seen Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain head elsewhere in recent years.
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But the question being asked by United supporters is if the club will ever compete at the top end of the market again having failed to break the 30m barrier since
signing Dimitar Berbatov four years ago?
For all Uniteds in! terest i n Karim Benzema, David Villa, Wesley Sneijder and Hazard, they have failed to land any of those world stars.
Massive sums have been paid for the potential of David de Gea (18.9m), Phil Jones (16.5m) and Kagawa but they havent even spent more than 20m on anyone since Berbatovs club record 30m arrival from Tottenham.
Which is why Fergusons interest in James Rodriguez is so intriguing.
Sources in Portugal claim it would cost in excess of 30m to land the Porto winger, who is described as the new Ronaldo.
Having tried so hard to sign Hazard, it is clear Ferguson believes his side is in need of more flair, despite already having Ashley Young, Nani and Antonio Valencia in his ranks.
While Modric is a player who provides flair, his best work is carried out in deeper lying positions, rather than out wide or in support of the strikers, as is Hazards game.
He would be the player to naturally succeed Paul Scholes as a midfield schemer the type of player Ferguson has spent the best part of three years trying to find.
And it is still in the heart of midfield that Ferguson must surely strengthen as he plots Uniteds title bid to wrest the title back from City.
Portugals Joao Moutinho and Newcastles Yohan Cabaye would prove cheaper options if Modric does end up at Real and United are forced to adjust their sights and their place in the modern age of football.
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