Source: Telegraph
Manchester United close to signing Aston Villa winger Ashley Young
By Rory Smith[LNB]7:01PM BST 22 Jun 2011[LNB]Comments[LNB] The Aston Villa winger arrived at Manchester's Bridgewater Hospital on Wednesday afternoon for a series of tests, the final hurdle before the completion of his £16 million move. [LNB]The England international is expected to sign a five-year contract at Old Trafford, taking his wages to around £120,000-a-week roughly double what he earns at Villa Park as Sir Alex Ferguson looks to continue what is likely to be the most thorough overhaul of his playing resources for 15 years. [LNB]Young had only a year left on his contract at the Midlands side and had made clear to the club's owner, Randy Lerner, that he had no intention of extending his stay. He is thought to have agreed his transfer in principle with United earlier this month and, after returning from a holiday in Las Vegas, is expected to have his move confirmed officially in the coming days. [LNB]The former Watford player's capture represents a second victory in the transfer market for Ferguson over his old foe Kenny Dalglish. The Liverpool manager, who lost out to United in the race for Blackburn defender Phil Jones, had identified Young as one of a number of targets this summer, but the 25-year-old is believed to have always preferred a switch to the Premier League champions. [LNB]Young's arrival is likely to be supplemented once the international transfer window opens on Jul 1 with the signature of David De Gea, the Atlético Madrid and Spain under-21 goalkeeper, for £18.3 million, to replace the retired Edwin van der Sar, while Ferguson is also keen to recruit a creative midfielder. Samir Nasri, Wesley Sneijder and Luka Modric are all thought to feature on the Scot's shortlist. [LNB]Related Articles
