Source: Daily_Mail
Harry Redknapp and Sir Alex Ferguson trail Espanyol's striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo
Espanyol striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo has emerged as a summer target for leading English clubs. [LNB]Sir Alex Ferguson's brother Martin, Manchester United's chief European scout, was joined by Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, Everton's David Moyes and Fulham's Mark Hughes at Monday night's 2-1 win against Athletic Bilbao and saw Osvaldo, Argentina-born with joint Italian nationality, score one goal and make another. Pete Jenson casts an eye over a man in demand.[LNB] Wanted man: Osvaldo is being watched by a number of the premier League's top clubs[LNB] [LNB]So, will he be playing in England next season? He fancies a move despite having a genuine affection for Espanyol. The club bought him for ?4.5million and have an ?18m buy-out clause on him. [LNB]They are a selling club but having shifted defender Victor Ruiz for ?5.4m to Napoli in January and with the possibility of selling winger Jose Callejon they might not be in a 'must sell' position - although they would definitely do business for around ?12m. [LNB]Is he worth that much? It would be a slight gamble. He wasn't getting a game at Bologna when Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino took him on loan in January 2010. [LNB]But he became an instant hit with supporters and a real leader in the dressing room, filling the boots of outgoing club goalscoring legend Raul Tamudo. [LNB]Heads I win: Osvaldo could cash in on abig-money move[LNB]So he can handle the pressure? He's got plenty of attitude on the pitch but he also needs an arm round the shoulder. 'I play better when I'm happy,' he has said. 'In Italy I was not happy. [LNB]'There, unless you score 15 goals in three games you get dropped. Here I don't feel the pressure and I have fun. I need to feel important at a club.' [LNB]What kind of striker is he? Espanyolplay a 4-2-3-1 formation and he operates as a lone front man. He's quick, strong and very skilful. [LNB]He likes to face the goal, is very direct and knows how to finish with both feet and with his head. [LNB]And the supporters love him? Thetop-selling shirt at Espanyol is the No 21 worn by the club's late captain Dani Jarque, who died in 2009 at the age of just 26. Osvaldo's No 17 shirt is close behind. [LNB]Theylove the tireless running, they love the goals (11 in 18 starts this season) and they especially love his machine-gun celebration when he scores. [LNB]So he'd light up the Premier League? He'sa Europa League player more than a Champions League player at the moment but he's only 25 so could really push on at the right club. [LNB]Hehas an Italian passport so there are no work permit issues and Argentina's wealth of great strikers means he won't be called away for too many internationals - he has not been selected for the Copa America next month. [LNB] Do mention his fashion sense. If you must. White loafers, white cargo shorts, matching white pork-pie hat. [LNB]Don't mention the Hand of God! Hewas born in the year that Diego Maradona knocked England out of the World Cup, and he's not averse to reminding people about it either. [LNB]Hesaid before a recent game against Espanyol's cross-town rivals: 'I loveto score beautiful goals but if I tap one in from the goal-line againstBarca I'll shout to exploding point as if it's the Maradona goal when he dribbled around the English in 1986.'[LNB] Back of the net: Osvaldo scores against Athletic Bilbao, while Redknapp and United's chief scout watched on[LNB] Tottenham scout Espanyol forward Osvaldo in hunt to boost firepowerRedknapp targets Osvaldo as Spurs manager seeks more firepowerAll the latest Everton news, features and opinionAll the latest Fulham news, features and opinionAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinionAll the latest Tottenham news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, David Moyes, Mark Hughes, Harry Redknapp, Raul Tamudo, Diego Maradona Places: Argentina, Italy, United Kingdom
