Papers: City and United in Gaitan battle - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
Manchester City and Manchester United are on a collision course as both clubs try to sign Benfica star Nicolas Gaitan, according to today's back pages.
The 23-year-old Argentine is one of the hottest properties in Europe, and United, who have done much of their shopping from Portuguese clubs in recent times, have been watching him closely, the Daily Mirror reports.
But it is cross-town rivals City who are now thought to be in pole position to sign him, having reportedly spoken to Benfica officials about a possible transfer.
They are believed to be preparing a £35m bid, which matches Gaitan's release clause – a sum which would be beyond Ferguson unless he sold players in the summer, the Mirror claims.
There's better news for Manchester United though in the Daily Mail, with reports that Nemanja Vidic is ahead of schedule in his recovery from injury and might even feature before the end of the season.
The Sun report more embarrassing news for Arsenal, with two striking back-page stories.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whose AC Milan side tormented the Gunners in their midweek Champions League clash, has told star striker Robin van Persie to quit the Emirates.
"Football is all about winning," Ibrahimovic said. "If you don't win you want to go. I don't know Robin personally but I remember him from Holland and what a talent he was – now he is complete.
"I don't know what he is thinking but I know what I would do."
And to add insult to injury, the same paper also reports that Arsenal players are frustrated with manager Arsene Wenger because they aren't practising defending during training sessions.
There's plenty more in the press today about how wonderful Harry Redknapp is, and the Daily Star sums the coverage up best with the news that Redknapp only wants to think about the England job once the season is over.
"Call me in the summer – loyal Harry's message to FA' the Star reports – skilfully finding loyalty in angling for a new job in four months.
The Express add that the Tottenham manager believes the job must be done on a full-time basis from the start.
In transfer whispers the Mirror link Arsenal with a bid for Blackburn's Junior Hoilett in the summer – but Spurs, Newcastle and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the winger as well.
Tottenham are still keen on Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen, who could set them back as much as £10m (Mirror).
And Neil Warnock is pictured sitting down with Ken Bates as speculation mounts he will be confirmed as the new manager of Leeds United (The Sun) – but Huddersfield are also keen on bringing him back to Yorkshire (Mirror).
18 Feb, 2012
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