Man Utd launch bid for Corinthians ace Mascherano (20 Jan 2006 05:08 GMT)
Manchester United are ready to step up their bid for Corinthians midfielder Javier Mascherano.
The Times says United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to splash out on his long-term replacement for Roy Keane and has identified Mascherano as the man to fill the Irishman's boots.
United have already registered their interest in the player with third parties in the hope of securing a deal before the end of the season.
Chelsea provisionally lined up a deal for Mascherano last April, before he joined Corinthians from River Plate, in his native Argentina, and José Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, is known to regard him as the most natural long-term successor to Claude Makelele in midfield. Real Madrid have also shown an interest in the 21-year-old.
source : tribalfootball.com