Man United wipe out first option deal on 10m Serbian teenager Ljajic

Published: 03 Dec 2009 - 12:40:43

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Man United wipe out first option deal on 10m Serbian teenager Ljajic

Manchester United have ended their interest in Adem Ljajic and decided not totake up their £10million option to sign the Partizan Belgrade midfielder. Going solo: Zoran Tosic will not be joined by his former Partizan team-mate Adem Ljajic United were offered first refusal on the Serbian, 18, as part of the£7m deal that saw compatriot Zoran Tosic join the Barclays PremierLeague champions in January. However, United have cited a wealth of talent in midfield and that their initial interest in Ljajic will not be followed up, despite having applied for a work permit for the star. 'We had an option to buy the player but, having closely monitored his development over past 12 months, and taken into the consideration the young players emerging through the ranks, we have chosen not to pursue the transfer,' a spokesman told the Old Trafford club's official website. United pulled the plug because they were not convinced with the teenager's development over the past 12 months and felt the Serb was not worth the stated fee. But Ljajic's club Partizan, upset that they are missing out on alucrative transfer windfall, claim the deal was scuppered purelybecause United are in 'financial crisis'. 'Maybe the real problem is that they are in financial crisis,' said Partizan president Dragan Djuric. A United source dismissed the suggestion, however, insisting it is merely an attempt to keep Ljajic's value as high as possible. Ronaldo scared of returning to old club Manchester United with Real MadridGibson's future is bright but is he willing to wait for his chance at United?MANCHESTER UNITED FC