04/07/2011 09:03



Journalists in The Mirror write...

United still hopeful of signing Sanchez
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson hopes to sign top target Alexis Sanchez – if rivals Barcelona grab Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal. Ferguson and the United money men have refused to budge on a £28million offer to Udinese for Chilean star Sanchez – but their dream of signing the South American could get a double boost this week. Barca’s “final” bid for Sanchez is £24m plus an extra £10m in appearances, a package that has yet to be accepted by the Italian club – with United’s offer a greater amount in guaranteed cash. And amazingly the £10m add-ons are based on Sanchez playing in 50 per cent of games in the next four seasons – money that may never come. The Champions League winners are at full stretch financially and that offer will not be increased, and could even be withdrawn, if they land Gunners skipper Fabregas in the next few days.

Elsewhere, the same paper suggests Stoke manager Tony Pulis is keen on landing John O'Shea and Wes Brown. Both players have already been the subject of a bid from Sunderland this summer, but Pulis hopes a move closer to Manchester would be more appealing.