Ferguson in stalemate over Bale transfer
Fergie says he won't be pressured into an expensive splash
Also In The News
|
Published by Corgi Books, out now, paperback, 464 pages, £6. |  |
Tuesday, 16, Jan 2007 05:25
Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson says he is holding firm on his valuation of Southampton left-back Gareth Bale despite the imminent closure of the transfer window.
Ferguson has long expressed his interest in the talented full-back, but Southampton are determined to hold on to the defender and are not budging on their estimation of Bale's value.
It is thought it would require a hefty bid to prise the teenager away from St Mary's of up to £7.5 million, but Sir Alex is believed to have set £5.5 million as the upper limit for any possible transfer at this stage.
"We are working on one or two things but don't hold your breath," he commented.
"We've had mixed fortunes taking new people on board halfway through the season. I much prefer a newcomer to have the benefit of pre-season training."
Meanwhile, Saints boss George Burley said talks were underway about a potential contract extension with Bale and insisted he would "certainly be a Southampton player until the end of the season".
Ferguson now may wait until the summer when it is thought Gabriel Heinze may depart the club, paving the way for a swoop for the Southampton 17-year-old.
The Red Devils boss is, however, happy with his current squad, telling the club website he believes his attacking options in particular are among the best they have been for a decade.
Louis Saha and Wayne Rooney have paired for 20 goals and, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer netting nine times and Henrik Larsson already off the mark, the United boss is delighted with his strikeforce.
"My thoughts go back to our treble year with no doubt in my mind that the key to our success in 1999 on three fronts was the fact that we also had four top-class strikers," he said.