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European clubs line up for January sales
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-30 10:32
BIGGER MOVE
However, a far bigger move is expected for a central midfielder to replace
former skipper Roy Keane, now at Celtic, particularly after failing to land
Bayern Munich's Michael Ballack.
Out of European football after their defeat by Benfica in the Champions
League, United may have to bide their time until the season ends to get the
right man.
Arsenal, their anxiety fuelled by fears of losing talismanic striker and
skipper Thierry Henry at the end of the season, need to fill exactly the same
position as United after former captain Patrick Vieira's move to Juventus in
July.
Premier League champions Chelsea have spent some $400 million on players
since tycoon Roman Abramovich's takeover in 2003, but they are not expected to
spend any more in January.
However, that has not prevented speculation linking them with Portugal
midfielder Maniche, a member of the Porto side who won the 2004 Champions League
under current Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho. Maniche is reportedly unsettled at
Dynamo Moscow.
Little movement is expected in Italy, though AC Milan may strengthen what has
become a suspect defence after some mediocre performances by Alessandro Nesta
and Jaap Stam.
City rivals Inter are tipped to sign Chievo's Nigerian striker Victor Obinna
as cover for his fellow countryman Obafemi Martins, who is off to the African
Nations Cup being held in January and February in Egypt.
A quiet time is also in prospect in France and Germany, although Olympique
Marseille would dearly love to sign French forward Djibril Cisse from Liverpool,
if available.
Bayern Munich and Hamburg SV have signalled their interest in Cologne's
exciting young Germany striker Lukas Podolski, but are expected to wait until
the end of the season.
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