City and Spurs ‘battle’ United for £25m target – reports

Manchester United, Tottenham and Manchester City are in a ‘battle’ for Everton starlet Jack Rodwell, according to the Daily Star.

Both Spurs and City have sent scouts to watch Rodwell play for the England under 21 side in the Euros, and while both clubs are interested in the midfielder, Manchester City are said to have the edge in gaining Rodwell’s signature with their offer of Champions League football and a larger transfer budget.


 

Manchester United, however, are still very clear favourite to snare Rodwell, who has been rated at £25 million. Sir Alex Ferguson is looking to rebuild his squad, with the majority of his stars beginning to look on the other side of 30, and along with England Under 21 stars Tom Cleverly, Danny Welbeck, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, Ferguson reportedly sees Rodwell as a good fit for a younger looking Manchester United squad.

The only problem with the move is money; Ferguson has already spent £32 million on Phil Jones and Ashley Young, and with an extra £25 million on Rodwell, summer outlay will hit well over £50 million. Ferguson also reportedly has a number of other targets including the very expensive Luka Modric to consider before putting all his eggs into one basket.

The Manchester United manager also needs to pay good money for a goalkeeper to replace outgoing Edwin van der Sar, leaving Manchester City in the winning seat for being able to afford Rodwell’s services.