TRANSFER NEWS

Sat 24th July

Manchester United have confirmed that Nemanja Vidic has agreed terms on a new contract at the club to spurn advances from Real Madrid and AC Milan. Vidic, 28, had been linked with a move to the continent after his wife had reportedly grown unsettled in England, while he had become angered by earning considerably less than defensive partner Rio Ferdinand. These rumours now seen to have been dismissed, however, and the player is set to extend his stay at Old Trafford. Speaking to the club's official website, chief executive David Gill stated the deal had been agreed before the centre back represented Serbia at the World Cup and will be signed when he returns from holiday in early August. "There was a lot of speculation about Nemanja's future, but in my view it's been the media drumming some old stories because they certainly didn't come out of the Manchester United camp and I'm confident they didn't come out of Nemanja's camp," Gill said.

Germany World Cup star Mesut Oezil will become the most sought-after transfer traget of the summer for £15 million, according to the Daily Express. It follows Werder Bremen's admission that they will listen to offers for the 21-year-old. With just a year left on his current contract, it seems the club will struggle to recoup more than £15m for the player they bought from Schalke 04 for €4.3m (£3.6m) in 2008. Premier League big-hitters Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City have all been linked with one of the stars of this year's World Cup in South Africa.German star Oezil, who is of Turkish descent, helpd put both England and Argentina to the sword in the knockout rounds in South Africa.

Steven Defour’s agent is waiting for Manchester United Football Club to make an approach for the player during the summer transfer window. It is no secret that Sir Alex Ferguson is a big fan of the midfielder, after sending him a letter when he suffered a serious injury last year. It has been suggested the Reds boss is set to increase his interest in the 22-year-old this summer, as doubts over Owen Hargreaves’ long-term future grow. However, Defour’s agent, Paul Stefani, has told Sport.co.uk that the Standard Liege star is still waiting to hear from the Old Trafford club. “Sir Alex is always interested in Steven ever since he sent him the letter when he was struggling with injury, but we have to wait for an offer to be validated,” he said.

Sat 10th July

Sunderland are on the verge of submitting a £7million offer for Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick. After losing his captain Lorik Cana in £6m transfer to Galatasaray, Black Cats boss Steve Bruce has made the 28-year-old his main target to replace the Albania international. According to The Daily Mail, Sir Alex Ferguson is willing to negotiate a deal for the midfielder since he struggled to hold down a regular place in United’s team last season.

Manchester United are believed to be in line to make a £25 million bid to sign Werder Bremen midfielder Mesut Oezil, according to The Daily Express. The Germany international was a key member of the team that got so near, yet so far from the final of World Cup 2010, losing to Spain by a lone goal on Wednesday night. Oezil's impressive performances during the tournament put him on the wish-list of a number of leading clubs, with Arsenal among those who have also been linked with the player. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is another admirer, and is thought to be looking for players to replace Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, who are both well into the evening of their careers.

Manchester United have identified Netherlands World Cup 2010 goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg as the long-term successor to Edwin van der Sar, according to Oranje VI. Stekelenburg, 27, emerged as the United's number one's replacement for the national team after impressing as custodian at Ajax. With van der Sar turning 40 in the coming months, this season is expected to be his last at Old Trafford. Despite a high profile error in the quarter-final victory against Uruguay, when he let a Diego Forlan shot swerve past him, Stekelenburg has impressed in South Africa. These displays are believed to have edged him ahead of Olympique Lyonnais shot-stopper Hugo Lloris and Schalke 04's Manuel Neuer in Sir Alex Ferguson's transfer pecking order and he could yet arrive in Manchester in a year's time.

Tue 6th July

Manchester United are determined to go head to head with Manchester City and match any bid for Inter striker Mario Balotelli, according to Sky Sports Italia. Balotelli, 19, is rated as the hottest talent in Italian football despite regularly getting into trouble with ex-head coach Jose Mourinho. His agent, Mino Raiola, recently confirmed the Citizens had made an offer for the player and United are determined to stop them having a clear run at him. The Old Trafford outfit are reported to have made contact with the Inter hierarchy and told them of their intention to go toe-to-toe with neighbours. Although Balotelli has declared his intention to stay with the club despite eyeing a future move to England, the offer of Champions League could tip the balance in United's favour.

Manchester United are believed to be considering a £25 million splurge on Netherlands and Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder. The 26-year-old joined the Italian champions last summer and became the final piece in the jigsaw for manager Jose Mourinho, as his presence and creative flair saw the Milan-based club lift the Champions League trophy in May. The Dutchman has since gone on to put in sublime performances in the 2010 World Cup for his country, earning plaudits en route to guiding his side to a semi-final clash with Uruguay. Now The Mirror claims Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson is weighing up a £25m move for the player, following in the footsteps of his ex-rival Mourinho by injecting some creativity into his midfield. The Old Trafford boss is reported to have been on the trail of the former Real Madrid midfielder for a few weeks now, possibly due to the requirement of replacements for ageing veterans Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes - who are both in the twilight of their careers. It is said that Sneijder is playing the waiting game, to see how new manager Rafael Benitez handles things at San Siro.

Gary Cahill is believed to be a top target for Manchester United Football Club. As the new season approaches Sir Alex Ferguson has worries in his back four, with the increasingly injury-prone Rio Ferdinand struggling to make the opening game against Newcastle United. With the future of Nemanja Vidic never far from the speculation pages, the United boss knows he is in need to inject some new talent into the heart of his back four. Jonny Evans remains the great hope of the Reds back four, whilst the young Chris Smalling was added from Fulham when a £10million deal was agreed last January. The News of the World now claim the Premier League runners-up have set their sights on another potential England star of the future in the shape of Cahill. The 24-year-old has established himself as a reliable performer since his £4million move from Aston Villa to Bolton Wanderers in January 2008, and United are set to offer £15million for his signature.