Wigan's Valencia Going To Man Utd – Benzema, Huntelaar and Ribéry Remain Transfer Targets

Manchester United are expected to confirm the signing of Antonio Valencia from Wigan Athletic this week, after the Ecuadorian winger cut short his summer break to try and complete his move to Old Trafford.

The £16million deal is expected to be completed in the coming days as Sir Alex Ferguson begins spending some of the world record £80million fee United have just received for Cristiano Ronaldo.

United are hoping that Valencia, who scored only three Premier League goals last season and just six in all competitions, might be able to replicate some of the attacking menace that made Ronaldo the scourge of Premiership defences. However, getting anywhere near the goal tally of the Portuguese winger might be asking for the impossible.

As well as Ronaldo, Ferguson has to contend with the loss of Carlos Tevez; with Lyon’s Karim Benzema his preferred choice for replacing the Argentinean. Unfortunately for Ferguson, Benzema has been suggesting that were he to leave Lyon it would probably not be for another twelve months, and even then not to Old Trafford.

If this proves to be the case, Real Madrid’s Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has emerged as the preferred option, and he should be available as Real look to offload their Dutch contingent of players as they seek to raise some money after spending so lavishly on Ronaldo and Kaka.

Ferguson is also wanting to beef-up his midfield following underwhelming displays from Nani and Anderson since their arrivals; and with Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes entering the twilight of their careers, and the injury-prone Owen Hargreaves a constant doubt, Ferguson will continue to chase the signature of Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribéry.

At the moment Ribéry or Benzema becoming United players looks increasingly unlikely, but with £80 million burning a hole in Sir Alex Ferguson’s pocket, almost anything becomes possible.