Manchester United Move Closer to Signing David De Gea

How do you solve a problem like Edwin? If Sir Alex Ferguson were to have his way, the void left in goal by the departure of Edwin van der Sar at Manchester United would be filled by David De Gea. This has moved closer to reality as De Gea confirmed via his twitter account that an offer by Manchester United has been made.

United have been left with a big dilemma following the news of the Dutchman’s decision to hang up his boots after an illustrious career which included 4 Premier League Titles, 1 Champion’s League, 1 FA Cup, 1 FIFA Club World Cup and 3 Community Shields in his time in Manchester after successful spells at Ajax (where he also won 4 League Titles and a Champion’s League), Juventus and Fulham. Those who bet on Premier League weekend games will know just how vital he was.

Sir Alex has found himself in this situation before when Peter Schmeichel left the club in 1999 after winning the treble, going through 11 goalkeepers before signing Edwin van der Sar to finally solve the problem of losing a world class goalkeeper. After a few unconvincing performances from Tomasz Kuszczak towards the end of the season, it looks like Sir Alex will be looking elsewhere to replace van der Sar this time. Those following the Premier League betting offers wouldn’t be that surprised.

David De Gea has impressed many during his time at Atletico Madrid where the bust through the ranks from the youth team and has even proven himself at international level by winning the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship with Spain this summer with a clean sheet in the final against Switzerland.

Whether or not United have made on offer that will impress Atlectio is yet to be seen, but they will be reluctant to let him go.

Carson to move to Turkey

In one of the strangest transfers we’ll probably end up seeing all summer, West Brom goalkeeper Scott Carson has decided to write himself out of Fabio Capello’s future plans on the international stage by opting for a move abroad to Turkish side Bursaspor. With Carson a man who became a fans’ favourite at the Midlands club after joining from Liverpool a few years ago, it would seem that he has been unable to resist the lure of European football at a crucial stage in his career.

OK, so Bursaspor may well be playing in the Europa League next season, and they may well be a side that has competed in the Champions League in recent years, but is Carson making a rash move for the promise of immediate career advancement rather than sustained upward movement in a goalkeeping career that has often promised much, without ever truly delivering the goods? Those who follow the Manchester United betting odds will know he has never looked good enough to cut it at the highest level.

Carson will receive the short-term bonus of competing against the second tier clubs in Europe in the Europa League, but this is a side that only managed to finish third in the Turkish league last season, and that’s not exactly one of the most competitive leagues out there in Europe, it must be said. Anyone betting football money will wonder how he gets on.

With the Premier League becoming more and more competitive in recent years, with the lesser sides improving all the time and no one team now looking like a shoo-in for the title, staying put in English football seems to be the best way for an Englishman to push forward in his career.

Should Carson ever want to add to his three England caps, he may end up ruing his decision to move thousands of miles away from Fabio Capello’s office.

United target keeps the faith

Spanish youngster David De Gea insists he is not concerned by the possibility of becoming one of the world’s most expensive goalkeepers if his proposed transfer to Manchester United is completed.

The Old Trafford club are currently on the lookout for a replacement for the recently retired Edwin Van Der Sar and the Spanish youngster is thought to be at the top of Sir Alex Ferguson’s shopping list as he looks to develop a stopper for the future.

The Atletico Madrid youngster is currently starring for the Spanish under-21 side at the European Championships in Denmark as is tipped to be one of the stars of the future. Those looking at the free betting will know United need a top keeper now.

The Red Devils have reportedly been quoted a figure of around £18million to prise De Gea from Los Colchoneros but the confident 20-year-old insists the hefty price tag doesn’t faze him and the only thing he would be concerned about is proving that he’s good enough to fill the boots of such an illustrious custodian as Van Der Sar. Fans of sports betting UK will be keeping an eye on him.

“I feel incredibly motivated by the fact that Manchester United are thinking about me,” he said. “I like the fact that they are considering me as a replacement for a goalkeeper of Edwin Van Der Sar’s calibre.

Sir Alex Ferguson appears once again to be re-building his side with the emphasis on youth as he looks to replace ageing players such as Ryan Giggs and the retiring Paul Scholes and Edwin Van Der Sar and De Gea says that despite being young, he hopes to continue his career as long as the Dutchman.

“I hope I will still be playing when I am his age. It is hard to look so far ahead but it is something I want to do” he added.

Will Szczesny build on a successful first season?

There are many, many negative things that can be said about the manner in which Arsenal performed last season, but there was at least one good thing to come from the season as a whole, and that shining ray of light came in the form of young Wojciech Szczesny.

The Polish goalkeeper proved to all involved with Arsenal he has the potential to be a real superstar in the future, and next season is the one during which he will need to go out and build effectively on the start he has made to his career in the top flight of the English game. Anyone who follows the Champions League odds will know he still has to make improvements before he can be considered to be among the best around.

Sure, there was odd mistake last season, but there can be no doubting the question as to who should be in goal for the long term in North London has been answered by a goalkeeper who looks confident but not overly confident and does not seem to cause a minor heart attack for loyal Arsenal fans every time the ball is crossed or chipped into the box.

Despite this, there can be no resting on his laurels for a player who still knows that he needs to improve his ball distribution and improve his reputation to the point that he intimidates opposing strikers with the mere mention of his name, both skills that will require top performances in training and in the big games in England and in Europe. Those keeping an eye on the latest football betting odds should remember this.

If Wojciech Szczesny can achieve his short-term aims, the chances are that Arsenal will finally possess the goalkeeper they need to mount a serious challenge for silverware, as long as the young keeper develops a bit more muscle, grit, and experience in the club’s defensive line to provide him with that extra layer of protection that all goalkeepers seek.

Neuer completes Bayern move

Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has completed his long-awaited move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, after turning down an offer to join Manchester United to sign a five year deal.

The Premier League champions have been searching for a replacement for the retiring Edwin Van der Sar, who played his last game for the club in the 3-1 defeat at the hands of Barcelona in the Champions League final last month.

The 25-year-old put in a spectacular display against United in the Champions League and earned plaudits for his commanding presence as the Premier League side looked to over-run Schalke.

But Ferguson admitted defeat in his attempts to sign Neuer after the game, admitting the there was little he could do about his move to Bayern.

“We’re very happy to have acquired one of the world’s best goalkeepers and we’re happy about the long-term partnership,” sporting director Christian Nerlinger told Bayern’s official website.

The goalkeeper, who starred for Germany at the World Cup, recieved less than a warm welcome from supporters of his new club however after some carried banners with the slogan “No Neuer” because of the rivalry between the two clubs.

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