Manchester United near to sign Joe Cole for a Free

Manchester United are reportedly frontrunners in the race to sign Chelsea  midfielder Joe Cole.

The creative playmaker has had trouble coming to an agreement with the Blues over a new contract, with his current deal set to run out on July 1. This has prompted the 28-year-old to be linked with moves to a clutch of clubs.

Now the Daily Mail reports that United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has offered Cole a contract to ply his trade at Old Trafford next term, amidst interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus.

The former West Ham United player has in the past maintained that he is entirely focussed on making the final 23-man squad for the 2010 World Cup and then giving his best shot for the Three Lions in South Africa.

Manchester United Plan To Cite Javi Hernandez's 'Exceptional Ability' To Seal Work Permit For Striker

United to highlight Javier Hernandez talent
Manchester United will cite Mexican forward Javier Hernandez as an 'exceptional talent' when they plead their case to the Football Association in an effort to secure a work permit for the 21 year-old this week. Although United have agreed a £7 million deal with Chivas Guadalajara for Hernandez, the club must convince the FA, charged by the Home Office with administering the process, to grant a certificate of sponsorship in order to endorse his application. Hernandez, a second-half substitute in Monday's 3-1 defeat by England, has yet to be awarded a permit due to his failure to play in 75 per cent of Mexico's fixtures over the last two years. Although Hernandez has been described as Mexico's brightest talent for a generation, United are mindful their application is not guaranteed to be successful. To secure a work permit, United must convince the FA panel that Hernandez is an elite player who could not be recruited within the European Union for a similar valuation

Valencia Warned Manchester United: Silva Not for Sale

Manchester United and Real Madrid have been told to keep their hands off David Villa by Valencia, who have insisted that the midfielder is not for sale.

The 24-year-old was reported as being available for sale for £30 million but it appears now that Valencia are set on keeping the Spain star.

Silva himself recently admitted that a move to thePremier League greatly appealed to him, with United seemingly his favoured destination.

However, Valencia president Manuel LLorente has insisted that the player, who helped the club to third place in La Liga last season, is going nowhere.

"He will not leave," Llorente told The Sun.

Sergio Aguero priced at £52m

Hot shot: Atletico striker Sergio Aguero (left) scored in Argentina's 5-0 win over Canada on Monday

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo expects star striker Sergio Aguero to be at the club next season despite continual transfer speculation surrounding the Argentinian. 

Most of Europe's top clubs have been linked with Aguero over the last year or so, most notably Chelsea and Manchester clubs United and City, but Atletico have managed to keep hold of their prized asset, whose contract buy-out clause is £52m.   

There is sure to be more rumours about the 21-year-old this summer, but Cerezo is optimistic the former Independiente player will still be with the Europa League champions next term.   

'He has a contract with us, we want him to stay and he is happy here. Only if someone comes in to pay his buy-out clause would we then have to see what he decides...I would be surprised if he wasn't here next season,' said Cerezo on his club's website.   

He added: 'It's not in our plans to sell any player who is important to us.'

Cristiano Ronaldo Not Happy At Real Madrid :Jose Mourinho

Real Madrid Coach In Waiting Jose Mourinho: Cristiano Ronaldo Is Not Happy Because He Has Not Won Titles

As reported in an exclusive interview with Marca, Real Madrid coaching candidate Jose Mourinho has declared that he is "clearly capable of of winning the Champions League with Real Madrid" and also went on to declare why this past season was a very disappointing one for fellow Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Crisitiano is not happy because he has not conquered any titles this sesason," said the Special One who has made winning titles his forte, claiming the Treble with Inter this season.

As for winning titles with Los Blancos, Mourinho is intent upon making history. "I would like to be the first to win the 'Grand Slam' - that is the Premier League, Italian league and Spanish Liga titles."

Manchester New Boy will be seen on action in worldcup Friendly

Javier Hernandez could be on the same pitch asWayne Rooney this evening when Mexico take on England in a World Cup warm-up match.

United’s latest signing – better known as Chicharito – is in the Central Americans’ provisional squad for South Africa 2010 and may figure in the friendly at Wembley, as might his other potential new team-mates Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick.

Chicharito’s arrival at Old Trafford is yet to be rubber-stamped with a work permit, but if all goes to plan, he could be back at tonight’s venue when the Reds contest the Community Shield with Chelsea in August.

Mexico go into the England game in good form, having won three friendlies in a row this month – all 1-0 – against Senegal, Angola and Chile.

However, they face a tough task to qualify for the last 16 from the same World Cup group as Uruguay, France and hosts South Africa, whom they face in the tournament opener on Friday 11 June.

United fans in the UK can watch England vs Mexico live on ITV1 tonight from 19:30 BST.

Nani could also be on duty tonight when Portugal face Cape Verde Islands in a friendly, while Patrice Evra is in France’s squad for Tuesday night’s home clash with Costa Rica