Four transfer news from Old Trafford

NEWS 1: Premier League champions Manchester United have completed the signings of Serbian footballers Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic from Partizan Belgrade. Tosic and Ljajic both attacking midfielders are United's first signings of the January transfer window.

Tosic, 21, will sign with immediate effect and wear the No 14 shirt, while an agreement is in place for 17-year-old Ljajic to remain with Partizan for the rest of 2009. Having personally pleaded for the 21-year-old Tosic's work permit at a hearing in November, manager Sir Alex Ferguson had been frustrated that the move was being held up by the Serbia winger's pay demands and number of agents involved in the deal.

There had been fears that Premier League rivals could hijack the move, but the acquisition was completed within 24 hours of the transfer window opening Thursday. Tosic, who has made 12 international appearances since his debut against Finland in 2007, including at the Beijing Olympics, will join immediately as United looks to close the seven-point gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool with two games in hand.

Ljajic has made just 10 league appearances for Partizan Belgrade since his debut in July, although he underwent a trial at Old Trafford in October when the Serbian club's general manager confirmed Manchester United had been in contact "for some time now". The 17-year-old right-sided midfielder has been nicknamed "Little Kaka" after impressing in Champions League qualifiers for Partizan Belgrade.

It has been suggested United could end up paying around £17 million for the duo, although that figure is likely to be based heavily on future success and the club have refused to comment on the size of an initial payment.


NEWS 2 : Cristiano Ronaldo has treated Alex Ferguson to some New Year cheer by resolving to stay at Manchester United. The moody Portugal winger, 23, said:

“I want to stay here. I feel at home here. I feel very happy here.”

But before boss Fergie starts popping the champagne he should be warned that only one in four people actually stick to their New Year resolutions. And Ronaldo is still very much a target for Real Madrid. There have even been claims that the Spaniards already have a deal to sign him in the summer.

Ron tried to engineer a move to Real last year and accused United of treating him like a ‘slave’. But he insists the disruption was down to the media. He said:

“There’s always speculation, not just about me but about the future of players all around the world. People were speaking about me this summer and what people are saying now is not true. Who says that is a liar. I want to stay here.”

NEWS 3 : Alex Ferguson has offered Leeds a package worth up to £10million for teenage midfield star Fabian Delph.

Manchester United boss Fergie made his move after Fulham steamed in with a £6m bid for the 19-year-old sensation, who is being tipped as the new Paul Scholes. Delph is a combative midfielder with an eye for goal like Scholes.

He has been a regular in the Leeds side this term after captaining the reserves. Fergie has matched the Fulham offer of £6m up front but has added extra incentives related to appearances and trophies that would push the deal close to £10m.

And the Old Trafford boss has also told Leeds they can take two of his own promising youngsters on loan as they bid to get their League One promotion train rolling again. He is prepared to let midfielders Darron Gibson and Rodrigo Possebon switch temporarily to Elland Road.


NEWS 4 : Manchester United forward Carlos Tevez has insisted he is determined to stay at Old Trafford on a permanent basis. The Argentinian is in the second year of a loan deal with the Premier League champions, but that agreement expires at the end of the season and United are yet to offer him a full-time contract.

The 24-year-old has been reduced to a bit-part role this season following the close-season arrival of Dimitar Berbatov, fuelling reports that he is ready to leave England. But the former West Ham United player is confident he will remain with Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

"I am not preoccupied about my future," Tevez told the Daily Mail. "My instincts are to stay with the club and in the next week or so I think there will be more contact with regards to sorting out my contract. That is what we've been told. It is up to the club. Other clubs have asked about me but I see my future at United"

With Real Madrid believed to be ready to pay the £32m transfer fee required to sign Tevez, it would be easy for him to quit, but the forward is determined to fight for his place.

"It has been a complicated season for me, there is no point denying that. I have not been able to get as many minutes on the field as I would like because the quality of the forwards at the club is incredible. It is not easy for forwards to get into this team and I have suffered. But that does not make me want to leave. I have no urge to run away."