United Won't Sign Anyone. Got It?

OK, Sir Alex twice said we wouldn't sign anyone else this summer. First time he broke the promise, completing a deal for Molde striker Diouf but he explained that others had moved in for him and United couldn't afford to lose him even though we hadn't intended to bring him in before next summer.

However, once more he declared that our shopping was over, to the disappointment of the many. It didn't deter the tabloids though: the rumours just won't go away.

Now we are apparently back in for Sergio Aguero, even though Fergie expressly stated that he was finished with transfers for the summer. The press refuse to believe him? They've got a point if that's the case as he's known for being somewhat unreliable with these kind of statements yet I can't see that in the current economic climate he would spend the crazy amounts quoted in the Aguero or Ribery stories.

The reappearance of the Ribery stories make it certain for me that there is no evidence behind the speculation: these rumours are simply made up to sustain the interest of readers as proper football hasn't started yet. After all who can honestly believe that we're in for Ribery who is eager to play in Spain and whose club won't sell him for less than what Real Madrid had paid for Ronaldo?

My favourite, however, is the speculation that United are going to go for David Villa. VILLA, for heaven's sake. His club expressly stated he would stay. He declared, countless times, that he's happy at Valencia and even if he leaves he'll stay in Spain. Oh, and he's also 28 and would command an astronomical price, thus ruling him out, taking United's supposed transfer policy of not splashing the cash on players over 26 into consideration.

There is the slightly less stupid story of a hunt for David Silva, too, another player preferring to stay in his homeland and another his club wants to keep desperately. But all these factors do not deter the English papers - even though I can't see how they can think that Fergie wants these players yet hasn't made a move yet. He had plenty of time to conclude a deal for any of them, he had the money as well but now, with almost the entire pre-season over, it would be a great surprise if he suddenly started splashing the cash...

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