Hammers after Richardson

West Ham are reportedly set to make a bid for Manchester United winger Kieron Richardson.

The 22-year-old has endured a frustrating season at Old Trafford after turning down a permanent deal with West Brom last summer to try and become a regular in Sir Alex Ferguson's plans.

Richardson dazzled in a loan spell with the Baggies during the 2005-06 campaign and even forced his way into the England squad.

But his decision to stay at United backfired badly last season, as he fell behind Gabriel Heinze and Patrice Evra in the left-back slot - and failed to dislodge Ryan Giggs from his left-wing berth.

Richardson shone in a central midfield role at The Hawthorns, and the Sun reports that it is his versatility that appeals to Hammers boss Alan Curbishley as well as a number of other top-flight managers.

His first-team chances suffered a further setback this week when Ferguson all-but wrapped deals for midfield trio Nani, Anderson and Owen Hargreaves.

And the United boss may be happy to cash in on him as he bids to generate transfer funds for a new striker.

Former Red Devils defender Steve Bruce is believed to be keen on luring Richardson to Birmingham, and Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has money to burn and feels the United star could form a lethal left-sided partnership with Matt Taylor at Fratton Park.

United after Saviola?

Manchester United are reportedly on the trail of Barcelona striker Javier Saviola.

Saviola, 25, has already confirmed he will leave the Spanish champions when his contract expires this summer, meaning he can move for no transfer fee.

According to The Sun, the Argentine has made it clear Old Trafford is his preferred destination after three years at Barca, despite interest from Arsenal, Liverpool, Bolton, Valencia and Real Madrid.

He said: "I consider my career at Barcelona is finished. There are several offers on the table."

Saviola moved to Spain from River Plate in 2001 but despite an impressive goalscoring ratio, he never really established himself in the first-team.

He was shipped out on loan to Monaco for the 2004-05 season and then to Sevilla last year where he helped the club win the UEFA Cup.

Earlier this season he scored 8 goals in 6 matches in the absence of star striker Samuel Eto'o, but again found himself benched when the Cameroonian returned.

United have been linked with a host of strikers since the end of the season including Eto'o, Fernando Torres and Nicolas Anelka.

Keano bids on Scholes

ROY KEANE has made a shock £2million bid for Paul Scholes.

Sunderland boss Keano is out to make an impact on the Black Cats’ return to the Premiership.

And with midfielders Anderson, Nani and Owen Hargreaves on their way to Manchester United, Scholes faces being squeezed out.

Keane will try to tempt his former team-mate into a final challenge before he retires.

Scholes, 32, has just enjoyed a stunning season and finished third in the voting for the PFA Player of the Year awards but that has not stopped Keane from testing the resolve of boss Alex Ferguson.

Keane may also move for another old team-mate with Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt, 32, on his wish-list.

Ronaldo salutes the arrival of Nani and Anderson

Manchester United have agreed to pay a massive £17million for Anderson, 19, while Nani, 20, is a £14m capture.

And Ronaldo, 22, is convinced the young guns will justify their price tags by taking the champions up another level.

He said: “I can only say that United will be stronger because they have signed two great players.

“Anderson and Nani are phenomenons and the side will be improved a lot by their participation.”

Nani and Anderson have both agreed five-year United deals, which will earn each player £26,000 a week as they bid to follow Ronaldo to stardom.

United boss Alex Ferguson will look to Portuguese wing king Ronaldo to be a mentor for the new boys, who, like Ron, are without their fathers.

Ronaldo was devastated when his dad passed away in 2005, while Anderson’s father died five years ago and Nani has not seen his for years.

Nani’s mother Maria do Ceu was left alone to raise him and his EIGHT brothers after her husband went home to the Cape Verde Islands on holiday 15 years ago and never returned.

And Ronaldo has already vowed to make sure Anderson and Nani feel right at home alongside him with their new United family.

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