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With Obafemi Martins reportedly keen on leaving his Italian club, Inter Milan, after they signed Argentine forward, Hernan Crespo....
With Obafemi Martins reportedly keen on leaving his Italian club, Inter Milan, after they signed Argentine forward, Hernan Crespo, Premiership giants, Manchester United, appear to have moved in to bring the speedy Nigerian forward to England.
Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, was informed Monday night that the 21-year-old Nigerian, who had earlier insisted on staying at the San Siro, had confronted Inter Milan manager, Roberto Mancini, for a transfer request.
Obafemi's decision to hand in a transfer request may not be unconnected with the presence of Crespo, Adriano and Julio Cruz, which he feels could hamper his chances of getting more play time.
With Mancini still keen on bringing in two strikers -Luca Toni and Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Obafemi may have felt that his chances of playing first team football could become slim.
It is, however, not out of place that Manchester United are moving for the Nigerian, as Ferguson is keen on solving his problems upfront after Dutchman, Ruud van Nistelrooy moved to Real Madrid.
Already, there are reports in the English media that Manchester United manager, Ferguson, may have moved for Obafemi, as he fears that he would be without Wayne Rooney, who faces a three-match ban following his sending-off for violent conduct on Manchester United's pre-season tour of Amsterdam during the club's match against FC Porto.
Rooney will miss United's first three Premiership games of the season against Fulham, Charlton and Watford, after the Dutch FA reported him to the English FA for violent conduct.
But Manchester United face financial challenges in a bid to snatch the Nigerian under the noses of other Premiership competitors.
Portsmouth, Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham are the Premiership sides that the Old Trafford faithful may have to beat in order to bring the Nigerian to England, while Valencia is also keen on getting the services of Obafemi.
As at Tuesday morning, Chelsea are in pole position to land the Super Eagles' marksman, after their manager, Jose Mourinho, was reported to be ready to splash £15million on the Nigerian international, who runs 100 metres in 11 seconds.
Earlier, Inter Milan in a bid to cash in on the long queue of clubs in the chase for their Nigerian import had reportedly valued the 21-year-old around the £16 million mark.
Ferguson certainly has the finances for a deal, and could readily match the asking price set by the Italians.
Despite reports linking Obafemi to Manchester United, Chelsea, Portsmouth, Newcastle, Tottenham and Valencia, Inter Milan are yet to place the Nigerian on the transfer list.