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Cudicini a target?
Date: Friday, 7th March 2003 - 12:42 GMT
Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini could be lined-up as the successor to Fabien Barthez at Manchester United.
Sir Alex Ferguson is already understood to have enquired about the young Italian´s availability and may be poised to make a move when the transfer window re-opens at the end of the season.
Chelsea´s financial plight has been well documented, and it had been widely expected that strikers Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink or Eidur Gudjonssen would be sold to balance the books.
Moves failed to materialse for either striker, and should Chelsea fail to qualify for Champions League football again this season, Cudicini´s market value, which has soared in the past two seasons after a series of match-winning displays, could see him as the man most likely to be sacrificed by the Stamford Bridge club.
With doubts emerging over the future of 31-year-old fabien barthez at united this week, Sir Alex Ferguson is monitoring the situation of one of the brightest young goalkeepers in world football closely, though Tomas Sorensen of Sunderland has been mentioned as another possible target.
But a move to Old Trafford would suit Cudicini, particularly is it offers him the stage of Champions league action as he struggles to force his way into the Italian national squad - though Arsenal will also be keeping a close watch as they trawl the market for a successor to David Seaman.
=>United ready to battle for Cisse?
Date: Tuesday, 11th March 2003 - 12:00 GMT
"Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to go head to head with Gerard Houllier in the race to sign Auxerre striker Djibril Cisse.
The Manchester United boss is believed to be ready to move in on the pacy frontman - a long-term target of Liverpool boss Houllier - and he may not be the only Frenchman heading for Old Trafford in the summer.
Ferguson has made no secret of his interest in Rennes full-back Julien Escude, with United almost landing the 22-year-old in August before the French club blocked the deal claiming it was too late to find a replacement.
The £5m-rated defender now looks likely to move to Old Trafford in the summer, but the battle for Cisse could be tougher, with both Milan giants and Barcelona also thought to be in the running.
Ferguson added to growing speculation by watching both players in action at the weekend, taking in two games during his short stay in France. Ferguson´s flying visit has also led to him being linked with Auxerre defender Philippe Mexes, and 23-year-old Finnish midfielder Teemu Tainio.
However, the United supremo insists that the sole purpose of his trip was to discuss the impending feeder-club agreement with Nantes.
´The main purpose of the visit was not to look at players," said Ferguson. ´We were trying to finalise our agreement with Nantes. I decided to watch a couple of games while I was over.´ The tabloids, naturally, aren´t buying that as the sole reason for Sir Alex´s French visit. "
