Quote
David Moyes is weighing up a sensational New Year move for Andres Iniesta after being alerted to a growing rift between the Barcelona midfielder and his Nou Camp bosses.
Manchester United manager Moyes is carefully monitoring events in Barcelona and could follow up his interest with a bid in the January window, if he feels there is a genuine chance of pulling off a transfer that would rank as one of the most audacious the Barclays Premier League has known.
It may seem unthinkable for Iniesta to be playing in anything other than a Barcelona jersey after more than a decade of sterling service as one of the most talented and creative central midfielders of recent times.
But there are increasing noises in Spain that all is not well between the little maestro and his Nou Camp bosses and that, for the first time in his career, he may be contemplating joining a new club, rather than signing a new contract.
Attempts to break the deadlock over renewing a deal that expires in 2015 continue to flounder, and the impasse is merely adding to his sense of unease at a club he has played for all his career.
He has said to have misgivings over developments on the pitch, since Pep Guardiola’s departure brought the curtain down on a golden era of glittering success, and he still bears a grudge over the loss of physio Emili Ricart, who was sacked before the start of this season, despite playing an integral role in helping him overcome a series of worrying leg muscle injuries.
If he does take the momentous decision to cut his ties with Barca, and end his famed partnership with Xavi, Moyes will be ready to pounce, following suggestions the 29-year old is ready to give serious consideration to joining some of his countrymen in the Premier League.
Moyes may have been led up the garden path in his lengthy pursuit of Cesc Fabregas last summer, but snaring an even more celebrated member of Barca’s famed midfield would more than compensate.
It may not be a pipe dream, either, after United demonstrated their willingness to spend big, by exploring moves for Fabregas and Cristiano Ronaldo, and Iniesta let it be known he holds a deep respect for the history and tradition of English football.
More encouraging news for Moyes on the transfer front is that Real Madrid are ready to look favourably on any renewed attempt by United to sign Fabio Coentrao.
Sportsmail revealed how Coentrao and Sevilla’s Alberto Moreno figured prominently on Moyes’ shortlist of candidates to fill the problem left-back position at Old Trafford and how the Portugal defender was distraught when United failed in a last-minute bid to beat the deadline in the last transfer window.
With Marcelo chosen ahead of Coentrao more often than not these days, Real have evidently indicated to their big-money buy from Benfica that they will not stand in his way, if United come calling again.
January is hardly renowned as the time for significant breakthroughs in the transfer market, but landing Iniesta and Coentrao would be some way to launch 2014.
Rooney Van Persie Nani
Iniesta Carrick Fellaini
Evra Evans Vidic Rafael
El Dave
notbad.jpg