Van Persie gives Man United the edge over City, insists Mancini

It is 97 days since Sergio Aguero’s right boot won the Barclays Premier League title and little seems to have changed at Manchester City.

Despite a summer of much talk in the transfer market, City’s squad remains pretty much untouched ahead of Saturday’s opening fixture at Southampton. Manager Roberto Mancini, meanwhile, still thinks neighbours United are favourites.
Last season, Mancini liked to say United were ‘four yards’ ahead of his team. That has now changed.

Tipping the balance: Robin van Persie gives Manchester United the edge, according to Roberto Mancini

‘I think without Robin van Persie they had two yards in front of us,’ said Mancini. ‘Now with Van Persie they have maybe five.’

  As Van Persie completed his move to United yesterday, City unveiled Jack Rodwell. Once again — in terms of publicity — City were back in their neighbours’ shadow.

Mancini claims that Van Persie was never a realistic target. ‘It would’ve been impossible because we’d have had five strikers,’ he said. Don’t be fooled by this. Mancini chased Van Persie hard. United simply offered the 29-year-old more money.
In his mind, though, Mancini has moved on. He paid lip service to United’s quality on Friday but his team begin as champions and he will expect them to end the season the same way.

Our boy: Mancini has dipped into the market himself, purchasing Jack Rodwell

Asked about the suggestion that United have the best four strikers in the Premier League, Mancini said: ‘I think in the world.
‘Last year our strikers were better than other strikers but if you want to do better than last year then you have to work harder.
‘I think they are favourites because they are United and they bought Kagawa and Van Persie. I think that because we won the last championship, our mentality has improved. But we should know that a team like Manchester City have to work harder than before. The second year, all the other teams that fight with you for the title improve and buy other players.’

Dangerous: The two top Premier League goalscorers (Van Persie and Rooney) have been linked

Mancini looks likely to lose another target, Bilbao’s Javi Martinez, to Bayern Munich, and he admitted that a deal for Liverpool’s Daniel Agger is unlikely.
However, City are optimistic about signing Swansea winger Scott Sinclair and Roma’s Daniele De Rossi.
City did appoint one person on Friday, chief executive Ferran Soriano.
The Premier League champions have 13 days left to deliver Mancini someone a little more newsworthy.

Revenge mission! We'll shoot down Man City with 'new Cantona', boasts Sir Alex

Sir Alex Ferguson celebrated stealing Robin van Persie from under Manchester City's nose by warning his rivals they would never again score more goals than his own team.

The Manchester United manager hailed Van Persie as a new Eric Cantona after the Holland striker signed a four-year contract worth £250,000 a week. He will be in the squad for Monday night's Barclays Premier League opener at Everton.
And Ferguson immediately went on the offensive, telling City that never again would they get the better of his team by scoring more goals, as they did in last season's thrilling title race.
Ferguson said: 'No matter the years of experience we have of going for titles, last year was a different type of year. It's the first time anyone has beaten us on goal difference. That is what cost us the league and it won't happen again. Trust me on that.

Fresh start: Robin van Persie poses with his No 20 shirt with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson

Signing on: Robin van Persie poses with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson

 

'Robin is what we have needed for the last couple of years. We needed a finished player. We have had several players who have been this sort of catalyst, starting with Eric Cantona.

'We were still capable of winning the title without Robin but he gives us a sort of certainty for the future.
'We never thought we could get Van Persie. Even if you go back six months I couldn't see us getting him.
'I didn't think Arsenal would let him go, but then he refused a new contract and that's when we acted.
'It's been a long haul but we needed a finished player. Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs are coming to the end and I need mature, top players to replace them.'
City fought very hard themselves to sign Van Persie from Arsenal and manager Roberto Mancini reacted to news of United's triumph by nominating his rivals as favourites for the title. The Italian even went as far as to suggest United now have the four best strikers in the world.

A new hero: Van Persie signs autographs for fans outside Old Trafford

Smiles better here: Van Persie chats to supporters at his bid unveiling at Manchester United

Mancini said: 'It's for this reason that they are favourites for the title. United and Van Persie are better.'
Unsurprisingly, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger disagreed with Ferguson's claim that his strikers now compare to the 1999 Treble-winning side.
'Alex Ferguson is a bit too confident when he speaks of '99,' said Wenger. 'But, of course, it increases their potential offensively because they've got a world-class player.
'They have as well a number of players, like Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez, who will have restricted chances to play.'

Deadly: Van Persie was all smiles alongside Wayne Rooney in Friday's training session

Changing times: Van Persie is paraded inside Old Trafford after sealing his £24m switch

Delight: Van Persie was all smiles as he was shown off ahead of his press conference at Old Trafford

Ferguson admitted that the biggest challenge to his team will again come from City but laughed off Mancini's attempts to relieve the pressure on the champions.
He said: 'We are favourites every week according to him. Does he not realise he's got a decent team himself?
'That rivalry with City has been going on for 100 years, not just last year.
'But the 6-1 defeat at Old Trafford was one reason why we lost the league last time and if you ask me who I think will be our biggest threat I would say Manchester City, without question.'
Van Persie will don the No 20 shirt previously worn by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at United and trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Friday.
The Holland international refused to elaborate on the exact reasons he turned down a new contract at Arsenal but hinted that he didn't believe the club was ambitious enough.
He said: 'Let me make one thing clear so things don't get twisted. From my side and Arsenal's side there are no hard feelings, it's just on certain elements I had a different view. That's life.
'Nobody is angry at me, I'm not angry at them.
'I made it clear in my statement that on certain elements we were not similar.
'I am here now and it's the biggest challenge of my life so far.'

Pairing: Van Persie speaks at his Friday afternoon press conference as he sits next to Ferguson

Putting it all on red: Van Persie and Ferguson smile for the cameras at Old Trafford

Watching on: David Gill, agent Kees Vos and Van Persie's wife Bouchra at the press conference 

Why losing your leader is no laughing matter

If you’d have said a year ago that Robin van Persie would join Manchester United, I would have laughed.
Players have left for the lure of Barcelona and the riches of Manchester City but not United — not the team Arsenal have so long considered their rivals.
Seeing their captain and top goalscorer leave for Old Trafford will hurt the fans and Arsene Wenger. Van Persie was adored and cherished by those Arsenal supporters.

Hi there: Robin van Persie has walked out on Arsenal

He was their leader, captain and top goalscorer. It seems every summer now Arsenal lose world-class players — they have become a donor to other clubs.
The Emirates was supposed to be the promised land but the club is losing players.
That is so hard for the fans because it’s difficult to retain any excitement.
It’s a long way from the fantasy football Manchester City have experienced in the transfer market in the past few years or how United will feel after signing Van Persie.
For the player, the chance to go to a fantastic club, maybe win some trophies and earn more money will have been tough to turn down.
It’s not something that would have happened a few years ago when the two clubs were huge rivals. Then it was very hard to leave Arsenal for a rival because we were so successful. When I left Arsenal, Tottenham briefly sounded me out but there was no way I could do that.
I wonder what having to sell Van Persie is doing to Wenger. He’s a hugely ambitious man, a great visionary and the last thing he wants to do is repeatedly sell his best players.
Wenger is proud of the economics of the club and won’t have wanted to lose Van Persie for nothing with his contract ending next summer. In that sense they got the best possible deal. But they would rather have the player.
The players left behind have been here before, seeing  Alexander Hleb, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gael Clichy, Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri leave.
They will have learnt from last summer about how to deal with losing team-mates.
Back then, they struggled early in the season because they were grieving. I’m confident they won’t this time around and will take responsibility.
Having said that, it will take another minor miracle from Wenger to get them into the top four again. But he is their glimmer of hope.

Keep your head down: Arsenal fans are furious with the man who was their captain

My 10 to watch in the Premier League this season

Every season I pick my 10 to follow. They are not all new signings, but they are all players I am looking forward to seeing when the season gets underway this weekend. And these are my picks for this campaign... keep an eye out for how they perform.
1 Joe Allen, Liverpool
A modern midfielder who doesn’t go to ground in the tackle but stays on his feet. He is a superb reader of the play, intercepts the ball and has the annoying habit of passing to a team-mate. The obvious question is: can he cope with moving to Liverpool from Swansea? Joe has so much in his favour, with a manager who obviously loves him and the chance to play alongside Steven Gerrard. That midfield three of Gerrard, Lucas Leiva and Allen looks to be dripping with quality.

Getting his man: Brendan Rodgers brought Joe Allen (right) to Anfield

2 Eden Hazard, Chelsea
I sat with Joe Cole last season and asked him about Hazard. ‘Jamie, this boy is so good, he can become the right-footed Messi of the Premier League,’ he said. Now we will find out. Joe played with him at Lille, where Hazard has been double French footballer of the year. He’s quick with the ball, with more pace than David Silva. He will play between the lines. The Premier League is different now, more Continental. It means foreign players can adapt quickly.

On the ball: Eden Hazard is Chelsea's big-money arrival this summer

3 Papiss Cisse, Newcastle
So, can he do it again? An explosive arrival in the Barclays Premier League last season, he started scoring for Newcastle and didn’t stop. It was the range of his goals that most impressed me — tap-ins, headers and worldies from long distance. It will be harder for him this time, as it will be for Newcastle, who went from relegation contenders to a top-six finish, thanks to some clever buys and good coaching by Alan Pardew. Can they all do it again?

Second season syndrome: How will Papiss Cisse fare after an incredible start to his Newcastle career?

4 Santi Cazorla, Arsenal

My dad, Harry, was driving the Tottenham chairman mad trying to get them to buy this boy: he is top class, a special footballer. He’s another Cesc Fabregas, a lovely slider of a through ball who will create chances. He’s 27 and the reason why he hasn’t played more for Spain is because of Xavi and Iniesta. He is 5ft 6in and can play left or right and is a drifter, who finds space behind the front players. He’s a typical No 10. This is another tough season ahead for Arsenal, but if he bonds with Mikel Arteta, he will make a big difference.

Watch out: Santi Cazorla (left) will add much to Arsenal

5 Yaya Toure, Manchester City
City’s dream machine and every midfielder’s nightmare to play against. He scores goals, wins the ball, tackles, heads and charges at you... he makes me glad to be retired from playing! You’ll notice a trend among my list, which includes a number of old-fashioned, skilful No 10s. Toure is the opposite to them. A powerhouse of a footballer, an absolute monster, and his form at the end of last season propelled City to the title. I was tempted to include Carlos Tevez in this group, but Toure is more influential. They need to keep him fit.

Dynamo: Yaya Toure is magnificent athlete

6 Rickie Lambert, Southampton
I’ve watched him grow into a real threat as a centre forward, scoring goals in Southampton’s back-to-back promotion seasons and rising to each new challenge since Alan Pardew signed him for £1million from Bristol Rovers. Rickie has scored 78 goals in 132 League games for Southampton and was the Championship’s player of the season. Look out for his free-kicks, struck with power and dip. He might need to score early to help his confidence, but Grant Holt adapted last season. Lambert  can, too.

Goals at every level: And now Rickie Lambert will test himself at the top

7 Junior Hoilett, QPR
QPR have ambition. Park Ji-sung is an interesting signing from Manchester United to give them energy in midfield. They already have Djibril Cisse and Bobby Zamora, which suggests they are trying to stretch into the top 10. They still need more quality at the back, although one player I’m certain is a terrific signing is Hoilett, from Blackburn. He is quick, direct, scores goals and can play across the front line. I’m surprised a top-six team didn’t buy him.

Superb buy: Mark Hughes was canny in getting Junior Hoilett from Blackburn

8 Steven Caulker, Tottenham
Look out for this boy: he’s elegant, a lovely footballer and he’s lightning quick, having been a schoolboy 200m champion. After a season at Swansea on loan last season, he’s ready for a first-team berth. Picked for Team GB during the Olympics, he was in the England squad for this week’s friendly against Italy and won’t want to be sitting on the sidelines. I’m certain Liverpool, now managed by Brendan Rodgers, would love to take him.

Impressive season: Steven Caulker (right)

9 Shinji Kagawa, Manchester United
Chelsea have Hazard, City have David Silva... United have Kagawa. A lovely passer, who will play between the lines and give United something they have been missing. The Japanese playmaker, who won the double in Germany for Borussia Dortmund last season and will look to restore trophies to the United boardroom. Gifted, with excellent balance and control. I’m looking forward to seeing him link up with Wayne Rooney. He can be a big star at Old Trafford.

All-action: Shinji Kagawa

Top buy: Nikica Jelavic

10 Nikica Jelavic, Everton

Like Cisse at Newcastle, this Croatian centre forward proved that January signings can settle down quickly. He scored nine goals in 13 Barclays Premier League games and proved he could step up from the Scottish Premier League with Rangers. Their fortunes have certainly gone in the opposite direction since! A natural goalscorer, who can lead the line and score with both his head and his feet. David Moyes knows a good bargain and proved that with Jelavic. When you don’t have much money to spend, it’s important to use what you do have wisely.

Sir Alex Ferguson has warned his rivals that he has assembled one of the most fearsome strikeforces in Europe as Manchester United tied up their £24million capture of Arsenal’s Robin van Persie.

The Dutchman is set to make his United debut in Monday’s Barclays Premier League opener at Everton after having a medical in Manchester on Thursday while his representatives negotiated personal terms in the region of £250,000 a week, or £12m a year, the same as Wayne Rooney.
Van Persie, 29, will now join forces at Old Trafford with Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck, who greeted his arrival on Thursday by promising ‘goals galore’ this season.

Fab fours: (top left-right) Javier Hernandez, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck and 1999 team (bottom left-right) Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Teddy Sheringham, Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke

Ready for action: Van Persie arrives for his United medical

 

Add the creative spark of Shinji Kagawa and Ferguson believes he has an attack to rival the unstoppable combination of Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who fired United to a League, Champions League and FA Cup Treble in 1999.

Asked about pairing Rooney with Van Persie, Ferguson said: ‘They’re two  fantastic players and it’s great to have them both. What gives us even more strength are the combinations I have up front. If you go back to the 1999 season when I had Dwight and Andy, Teddy and Ole Gunnar, they were the four best strikers in Europe.
‘I think I’m getting towards that now. I’ve got Chicharito, Wayne, Robin, Danny Welbeck and Kagawa. It’s a fantastic collection of players — hopefully I pick the right  combinations. It’s great to have a player of Van Persie’s quality come into the squad.
‘The fee has been agreed and we’re delighted with that, of course. Obviously we hope that his medical goes according to plan. Sometimes medicals take a bit longer but I’m sure he’ll be available for Monday’s game.’

Here I am: Van Persie will strike fear into the heart of Manchester City

Launch: Sir Alex Ferguson was speaking at the club's link-up with sponsor bwin

Knowing that Van Persie had only 12 months left on his contract, Arsenal finally relented in their fight to stop the striker from joining United and accepted an improved offer on Wednesday.

TOM CLEVERLEY ON RVP

He just adds to our goalscoring ability with Wellbeck, Rooney, Hernandez, Berbatov. I've admired him at Arsenal, he is a world class player, a goalscorer and is proven in the Premier League. All those three things will help us. I think Rooney and Van Persie were the top goalscorers in the Premier League last season and hopefully they can score as many this year.

The arrival of last season’s Premier League top scorer threatens Welbeck’s starting spot alongside Rooney, but the young England striker echoed his manager by insisting United will benefit from the competition for places.
‘It’s going to be shared out and hopefully once you’re out there it’s goals galore for Manchester United,’ said Welbeck.
‘He’s a player with great ability and a world-class striker. He can score goals and create goals as well. They’re the type of players who win you titles.
‘It’s given the club a massive boost, everyone is delighted to have him. I’m really looking forward to playing with him.
‘It’s good to have competition. At United there’s no time to sit back anyway. You never get time to rest on your laurels. You’ve always got to work hard because there are always things to improve on.

On the move: Bookmakers Coral were quick to set up this stunt outside the Emirates

United front: Ferguson has finally got his man by agreeing a deal for Robin van Persie

WELBECK ON SQUAD ROTATION

Once the season gets under way the manager will be good with squad rotation. It's a good problem for him to have. He's got a good variety of strikers to use and hopefully he picks the right team and we can win as many titles as possible.

‘I think once the season gets underway the manager will be good with squad rotation. But it’s a good problem for him to have.’
Welbeck also welcomed Ferguson’s comparison to the team of ’99. Asked if the four strikers are all capable of making their mark, he said: ‘Yes, definitely. We’ve got a good variety of strikers and we’re all capable of scoring goals.
‘I was a massive United fan and watched that whole season all the way through. Cole, Yorke, Sheringham, Solskjaer — that was a great strikeforce.
‘Being at United you learn to play with different types of strikers and players. Once we get training together I think everyone will be gelling perfectly.’

Final hurdle: The protracted deal will, Ferguson hopes, be concluded in time for RVP to face Everton

Concern had been growing in the United camp during pre-season that their strikers have lacked sharpness in front of goal. But sources said that the mood had been transformed by Van Persie’s imminent arrival.
And Rio Ferdinand believes that Van Persie, who scored 37 goals last season, will not disappoint.
‘There have been many players who have come to Manchester United and not met expectations,’ he said. ‘Expectations here are higher than anywhere in the world — some do brilliantly and some don’t fare quite so well. I’ve got no worries about Robin, though. He’s a very good professional.

Talisman: Van Persie bagged the vast majority of Arsenal's goals last season

'I know his main aim won’t be a selfish one — it will be all about winning trophies. And if he can score goals like he did last year then we’ll all be smiling come the end of the season.
‘We’re bringing a big name into an environment that already has a lot of big names, especially in the forward department, so it’s definitely going to shake things up. But it’s going to be great for the squad.’
Michael Carrick, who was on duty with England on Wednesday, also commented on the deal.

He said: 'Someone mentioned in the dressing room about Van Persie and if it goes through, it will be brilliant. He had a terrific season and he will further strengthen our squad. It is a great boost going into the new season.

'He is a world class player and we have always been about bringing in players of that ability.

'Can it make the difference between second and first? There wasn't much difference so hopefully we can go that step further! But the club has always had strength in depth and it is about the squad and not the 11 on the pitch.'

Arsenal threaten to hijack Liverpool's Sahin plan... if Song moves to Barca

Arsenal have made a last minute attempt to hijack Liverpool's move for Nuri Sahin as they contemplate selling Alex Song.

The Real Madrid midfielder was all set to join the Anfield club on a season-long loan but the Gunners have asked him to wait until Song's future is resolved, a request the 23-year-old has agreed to.
It is understood Sahin, who would rather join a Champions League club, prefers a move to Arsenal.

Wanted man: Nuri Sahin (second left) would prefer an Arsenal switch

Unlike Van Persie, the Gunners are under no pressure to sell Song given his contract does not expire until 2015, nevertheless Arsenal will let the Cameroon international leave if Barca stump up between £15m-£20m.
And Sahin is the man Wenger wants to replace Song in his midfield should the 24-year-old make an unexpected exit.

Prepared: Arsenal are readying themselves in case they lose Alex Song

Wenger is expected to name Thomas Vermaelen as the club's new skipper on Friday.
The Arsenal manager will inform his new captain in a face-to-face meeting after Van Persie's exit left the role vacant.
Mikel Arteta is also in the running, but Vermaelen is set to receive the nod as new captain.

EXCLUSIVE: Man City hit by blow as Richards ruled out for 10 weeks

Roberto Mancini received another pre-season blow with news that Micah Richards could be out for up to 10 weeks.

The Manchester City defender picked up an ankle injury playing for Great Britain at the Olympics. The City boss said originally that the right back was likely to be absent for a month.

Concern: Micah Richards was injured playing for Great Britain at the Olympics

That estimate has now been revised and Mancini is preparing to be without him for twice as long.
It is not thought Richards will need an operation but that will not be confirmed until after the results of a specialist's examination are known.
The news is a blow to Richards, who is hoping to force his way back into the England set-up.

Life after RVP: Wilshere will inherit Dutch striker's No 10 shirt at Arsenal

Jack Wilshere will be named Arsenal’s new No 10 on Friday — taking the shirt of talisman Robin van Persie.

The England midfielder, who has been on the sidelines for over 12 months due to a clutch of injuries, will wear the shirt vacated by former hero Van Persie — and previously worn by Dennis Bergkamp.
Wilshere is making positive progress on his road to recovery from knee and foot problems and is expected to return in October.

Mine now: Jack Wilshere will claim the prized No 10 shirt

Meanwhile Arsene Wenger has told of his disappointment at selling Van Persie to arch-rivals Manchester United, admitting he would rather have sent his talisman abroad.
‘We wanted to avoid it but we couldn’t,’ said the Arsenal manager. ‘I’d rather have sold him abroad, to Paris Saint-Germain for example. Manchester United know him and his qualities. But when you can’t succeed in extending the contract of a player in his last year, there is no other thing to do but to let him go.

Gone: Robin Van Persie arrives for his United medical

‘It’s sad because he played for us for eight years. He’s 29 now. He was 21 when he came and it’s another bitter pill to swallow. The economic part of it is the only satisfaction. But money doesn’t go out on the field and play, players do.’
Sportsmail has learned that Wenger is unlikely to jump straight into the transfer market until it becomes clear he needs more firepower.
Athletic Bilbao centre forward Fernando Llorente features highly on his wishlist and Arsenal spies have extensively watched Atletico Madrid forward Adrian Lopez.

It hurt! Mikel explains why Chelsea are out to strike back in the Premier League

John Obi Mikel has revealed how Chelsea's joy at their greatest ever season was tainted by the 'hurt' of finishing so far off the pace in the Barclays Premier League.

And the Blues midfielder declared he and his team-mates were determined to slash the 25-point gap to Manchester City and Manchester United in one fell swoop this term and mount a genuine title challenge.
Chelsea spent almost the whole of last season teetering on the brink of their worst campaign since Roman Abramovich bought the club, before ultimately securing an amazing Champions League and FA Cup double.

Out to get you: John Obi Mikel wants Chelsea to get back on track in the top flight

 

For some, that rendered their sixth-place finish in the Premier League - by far their worst of the Abramovich era - largely meaningless, but not for a squad used to competing for and winning the title.

Mikel said: 'It hurts us that it was such a big gap last season. We spoke about it. We don't want that to repeat itself.'
He added: 'We don't want a repeat of last season when we slipped out of the top four but, for us, the top four is not the target.
'The most important thing is to win the trophy. We want to regain the trophy.'
Chelsea have certainly made a statement of intent on that front in the amount they have spent this summer, but they will need all the new players they can get in a season that sees them compete for silverware on seven fronts.
One of those trophies has already slipped away after they were beaten by champions City in Sunday's Community Shield.
But what was a fourth successive defeat in the build-up to Saturday's Premier League opener at Wigan did not faze Mikel.

Statement of intent: Mikel wants to regain the Premier League trophy

He said: 'We're on the right track and if we keep doing what we're doing now, we'll be fine this season.
'It's going to be a long season. It's going to be too many games.
'It's about how you cope with it, how you manage the players and how you get through the games.'
He added: 'We want to defend the Champions League, we want to win the Premier League and, hopefully, we want to challenge for every cup.'
That could be made more difficult as Chelsea gradually try to implement a more attractive style of play and finally bring the best out of Fernando Torres.
'You can see Fernando Torres fitting into the way we want to play and hopefully he can do the job,' said Mikel, who did not believe there would be a major change of approach.
'This is what we demand from him. This season, I hope he scores more goals for us.'
In the Community Shield, Torres began this season as he ended the last, with a goal, and Mikel added: 'We hope he's regained his confidence and that, during the season, he will come back and become the Torres we all know.

Upwards: Fernando Torres' form is improving

'There's no doubt about it, he's put in effort every day in training and you can see that in his game. Hopefully, it's just a matter of things working out for him.
'When he has the chances and puts them away, I think everyone in the team will love him.'
There is no doubting the love from Mikel for manager Roberto Di Matteo, who brought the midfielder in from the cold last season.
Mikel was delighted to see the Italian handed the reins full-time.
He said: 'That's what you want when you work. When you do well, you demand to get a pay rise or you demand a promotion.
'He's done well, so why not give him a go? The lads all love Roberto and hopefully he can stay in the job for as long as he wants.
'It's important that we are stable. It's important that we know the manager.
'With Roberto, we know what he demands, we know what he wants from us and that's exactly what we're going to give him this season.'
Mikel would also relish linking up with Nigeria team-mate Victor Moses, who is at the centre of one of the transfer sagas of the summer.
Mikel said of the Wigan forward and Chelsea target: 'He's young and the club are going the right way now buying more young players, trying to develop them for the future.
'If Moses comes, he's going to be one of those, too.'

Anita completes £6.7m Newcastle switch as Dutch midfielder passes medical

Newcastle have completed the signing of Ajax midfielder Vurnon Anita for £6.7million.

The 23-year-old Holland international has signed a five-year deal at the Sport Direct Arena.
The Dutchman can play in defence but has been brought in primarily to operate in central midfield and he is confident he can enjoy success with the Magpies.
'I won almost everything in Holland so the step was not difficult to make, Anita, who came through the Ajax youth system and has won the Dutch title with them in each of the last two seasons, told Newcastle's official website.

New boy in Toon: Vurnon Anita poses after signing for Newcastle United

 

'Now I think we can also win trophies with Newcastle and it's time to do that.'

Magpies manager Alan Pardew said: 'We are delighted to secure the services of Vurnon.'
Anita joined the Ajax youth academy in 1999 and made his first-team debut in 2006.
Born on the island of Curacao, he had established himself as a key player at the Amsterdam Arena, winning back-to-back Eredivisie titles in 2011 and 2012.
Pardew added: 'He is an exceptionally talented footballer with great technical ability, which is exactly what I'm looking at in a player.
'And, at 23 years old, we hope his best years are at Newcastle.
'He has come through the Ajax youth system which is world renowned for bringing up players the right way, and I am sure he will fit seamlessly into the squad of players we have here.
'Vurnon has done his pre-season, and indeed already played one competitive game, so he's up to speed and ready to play when I need him.

Going through the paces: Anita undergoes his medical before signing for Newcastle

'Ajax are a fantastic club and to take a player out of there is difficult, especially one of their better players.
'So I thank Mike (Ashley, the Newcastle owner) and the board for getting that over the line because we needed an extra player.
'We might need another one yet, but for sure that has strengthened us.
'I wouldn't mind it (the transfer window) closing now - I'd be quite happy to keep all my players. But if we manage to add another one that would be the icing on the cake really.'
Asked if the possibility might still be there to sign Lille's France full-back Mathieu Debuchy, for whom Newcastle have already had bids rejected, Pardew said: 'I think, like with all transfers this summer, no-one is going to say it's over or done until September 1, when we all either have a deep sigh of relief - which I might do - or we are rubbing our hands together over what has been a great window.
'For us, so far it has been a good one. We haven't lost any of our great players and have brought in three or four, so so far, so good.'

Up and running: Anita (centre) trains with his new team-mates

Those Pardew will be most delighted to still have at his disposal are the likes of strikers Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba and midfielders Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa, who emerged as stand-out performers for Newcastle last season as the team exceeded all expectation by securing a fifth-placed top-flight finish.
Approaches for the club's star names may yet be forthcoming before the end of August, but the manager has warned potential suitors they would have to pay big money.
'I think it (keeping players) is key to a club like ours, where we are vulnerable to the Champions League clubs and the salaries and fees they can pay,' Pardew said.
'But as I've said all along here, Mike Ashley and the board don't sell cheap, so they would have to come and pay us a hell of a lot of money to take one of our players.'
Pardew could in fact be without the aforementioned quartet of players for the Saturday tea-time clash with Spurs, with Cisse, Ba, Cabaye and Ben Arfa all needing to have their fitness assessed.
Centre-back Fabricio Coloccini should be able to play, though, despite suffering a knock in last weekend's friendly defeat to Cardiff, while fellow defender Steven Taylor and midfielder Sylvain Marveaux are both back in the squad after long-term injury lay-offs, and Anita - along with the three other new recruits - is available to make his debut.