Silvestre to make United exit? - Transfer Talk Today
Who? - Mikael Silvestre - Speculation Where is he? - Manchester United Who is he linked with? - The exit door
AS Roma have joined Bordeaux in the race to sign defender Mikael Silvestre from Manchester United. Silvestre, 30, is expected to end his nine-year stay at Old Trafford this summer after falling well down Sir Alex Ferguson's first-team pecking order. The former Internazionale defender has long been tracked by Bordeaux, but now Roma have reportedly joined the race for his signature on a permanent deal, rather than the French side's loan basis. "I am afraid the situation with Silvestre has been complicated," Bordeaux director Marius Tresor told French media. "I met him recently and he told me he had just been contacted by Roma. Both clubs are interested in the player, but there is the risk he'll find a permanent transfer to Roma more attractive than a loan to Bordeaux." Silvestre has made just 23 appearances for United during the last two seasons after being sidelined by a dislocated shoulder and serious knee ligament damage.
Who? - Stewart Downing - Speculation Where is he? - Middlesbrough Who is he linked with? - The exit door
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has rubbished fresh reports that Stewart Downing could leave Teesside this summer. The England winger was strongly linked with moves to Tottenham and Everton before signing a new five-year contract with his hometown club in February. "We have to accept there will be speculation about our players and, if they're the quality of Stewart and have had the sort of season he has, that's inevitable," admitted Southgate. "Stewart knows exactly what I want to try and achieve here and, as far as we are concerned, he's not for sale. I fought long and hard to keep him and get him on a new contract during the course of last season and I think we saw an increased maturity in his performances towards the end."
Who? - Albert Riera - Speculation Where is he? - Espanyol Who is he linked with? - Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool
Neither Tottenham Hotspur or Liverpool have tabled a bid for reported transfer target Albert Riera, according to the Spain winger's club Espanyol. The 26-year-old former Manchester City loanee has been linked with a return to the Premier League after a superb season in La Liga. Riera scored four times in 36 appearances for the Barcelona-based club which led to reports that both Liverpool and Spurs - with Spanish coaches - were keen to sign him. However, Espanyol president Daniel Sanchez has denied reports that he has received interest from either club for a player who reportedly has a buy-out clause of 24million euros. He said: "There has not been an offer for anyone. Anyway, he knows what his price is if he wants to leave. Albert knows that all too well and at the moment we have not received a proposal for him, whether he likes it or not, so he will remain an Espanyol player."
