Football transfer news

Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken of his delight at being able to secure the signing of Robin Van Persie for Manchester United, having turned down the chance to bring him to Old Trafford 11 years ago.

The Red Devils had scouted the Dutchman while he was at Feyenoord before he signed for Arsenal, but the red card the striker received while being watched put Sir Alex off a formal bid.

Sir Alex finally moved for Van Persie over a decade later, parting with £24 million to pry last season’s player of the year from Emirates Stadium.

“I never thought we would get him, until he convinced us that he wouldn’t be signing a new contract at Arsenal,” the Scot told reporters.

“We just started working hard with Arsene Wenger and myself, I phoned him quite a few times, and we eventually came to an agreement. If Robin had more than one year left on his contract, we would never have got him.

“It was very amicable with Arsene. He made his case because, first of all, he wanted him to stay without ­contradiction. There’s no doubt about that and he worked hard to keep him. The next stage, once he accepted that he had to let him go, was to make sure we paid him the money. And Arsene has always done a phenomenal job getting top dollar for players.”

Since coming to Old Trafford, Van Persie has made a superb impact in scoring nine goals and providing three assists in just 12 games, but his manager is unsurprised by his early impact.

He added: “Robin has settled in well, but he’s a mature player and his start to the season has been fantastic.

“I can’t say that he’s better than I thought he’d be, because that’s why we bought him. His goals tally last season was tremendous. Hopefully that continues here, because if you can get a couple of strikers who score 25 goals, you’re in the ball park to win something.

“Robin is a mature player and that helps – that experience he’s got of having played eight years in England. The fact he’s been playing in England makes it easier for him to jump to another English club. It’s been very satisfying for us, a fantastic start, and I just hope he keeps it going.”

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has warned Tottenham midfielder Gareth Bale that a switch to Spain could damage his career, and to contemplate his future carefully before any move.

Bale has been linked to a move to a host of teams over the past few years, with Barcelona and Real Madrid among them, but the Spaniard – whose Wigan side face Spurs in their next match – believes the winger should consider all his options first.

He told reporters: “It is a real compliment when people talk about him and Barcelona or Real Madrid – there are only a handful of players around in the world who can fit that criteria. Bale could fit in there, without a doubt.

“Sometimes you go to a bigger club and think it’s going to be perfect. But you lose your role and you are no longer the star player but one of five or six.

“Some players enjoy the responsibility of being the main player, but they don’t have the same impact when they go to other clubs when there are so many about. Only the player will know that. He is already at a top team and playing so well, so he will always consider that.”

However, Martinez believes Bale has the attributes to contribute strongly to any team in the world.

He added: “His biggest strength is that he has got that change of pace when he is sprinting. There are not many players like that.

“George Weah was like that but in a different position. Bale is quite unique. He can run – and then go even quicker.”

Martinez admitted that the Latics face a difficult task in trying to stop Tottenham’s attacking play, particularly on the wings with the pace of Bale and Aaron Lennon.

He said: “I don’t think you can stop these players, but you can stop the service. You need to make sure the effect he has is not as important as it could be.

“But the real strength of this Spurs side is that they have got real pace down both wings and can stretch teams.

“If you spend too much time on one, you will be hurt by the other.”

Atletico Madrid are interested in bringing Wolfsburg playmaker Diego back to the Vicente Calderon in January, according to Jose Maria Martin, an executive at the Bahia International agency.

The Brazil international was on loan in the Spanish capital last season and helped them to secure the Europa League, scoring the third goal as they turned over Athletic Bilbao in the final.

And Martin has revealed that the former Juventus schemer could return to the club as early as January.

“Diego’s Father has received a call from Atleti. Wolfsburg are having a dreadful season and have fired [coach Felix] Magath,” he told Punta Pelota.

“At Christmas, or at the end of the season, Diego could sign for Atleti. His family like the idea.

“[Diego] Simeone is very insistent about it. The coach thinks that, with the Brazilian, he would have a squad to aspire to everything.”

Atletico are currently unbeaten domestically this season and sit joint top with Barcelona on 25 points after nine games.

Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has hinted that he believes Real Madrid are not brave enough to blood youngsters in the first team.

Jose Mourinho has come under scrutiny recently for ignoring the Madrid youth academy after playing Michael Essien at left-back as opposed to Nacho, who came through the Santiago Bernabeu ranks.

Vilanova, who has previously worked at Barca’s La Masia academy, believes that giving youngsters a chance in the first XI is a matter of courage.

“Controversy in Madrid about lack of academy players? I only know how we work. It’s also a matter of courage to give them chances,” he told reporters at a press conference.

Vilanova went on to dismiss rumours that he might look to sell out-of-form forward Alexis Sanchez in the January transfer window.

“Alexis is doing what I ask of him. If he doesn’t reach the level we expect, it will also be because I cannot get the best out of him.

“Nobody will leave in January. We have six attackers, all give us something different, and that’s perfect. We want to keep them all.”

Finally, the 44-year-old revealed that Gerard Pique has been making progress in his recovery from injury, and should be back in full training shortly.

“Pique has been making good progress the last days. He will join the group in a few days.”

Ajax manager Frank de Boer has dismissed reports linking Toby Alderweireld with a move to Tottenham in January, but suggested that a transfer could happen before next season.

The 23-year-old has been touted as a possible target for Andre Villas-Boas for some time, with the Portuguese signing the defender’s former team-mate Jan Vertonghen in the summer.Now with Gallas and Michael Dawson both seemingly coming to the end of their time at White Hart Lane, the ex-Porto boss is reportedly keen to re-launch his interest.However, the Dutch champions’ boss insisted that his man would remain in the Netherlands this season, but seemed more willing to allow the Belgian to seek a switch afterwards.

“That’s maybe something for next year,” De Boer told reporters when asked about a possible deal with Spurs. “I think he’ll end this season at Ajax.

“We’re very happy with him and don’t want to let him go in the winter, unless it’s a super transfer [fee] , but I don’t think that will happen.”

The asking price for the Belgium international is believed to be around £8 million, but Spurs also reportedly face competition from a number of other English clubs, including Liverpool, Newcastle and Southampton, as well as interest from abroad.

The player is understood to prefer a move to the Premier League, with the likes of Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany and Marouane Fellaini just part of growing Belgian presence in England.

Villas-Boas may also have the upper hand, with former club team-mate Vertonghen and national colleague Moussa Dembele both plying their trade with the Lilywhites.