Dreams never end

So we have actual confirmed-signed-on-the-dotted-line-transfer-deal-gone-through-not-rumoured-new-signing. Antonio Valencia joins us. And he had this to say:

“Joining United is a dream come true for me. I’ve enjoyed my time at Wigan but I am delighted to have the chance to challenge for the biggest honours in club football here. Playing in front of 76,000 fans and alongside Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs will be amazing.”

With Sir Alex also chipping in:

“Antonio is a player we have admired for some time now,” said Fergie. “I’m sure his pace and ability will make a significant contribution to the team.”

Everything else is rumour, though at least a few new names are having rumours made up about them today.
The most interesting rumour of the day is this quote from a team mate of Benzema:

Miralem Pjanic, Benzema's team-mate at Lyons, claimed that the player was on the verge of a British-record move to Old Trafford.

“Benzema is nearly gone to Old Trafford,” Pjanic, the midfield player, said. “The English club are willing to pay close to €45 million [about £38 million].”

How he would know that seems a little odd, but let's hope he's right (though let's get that figure down a bit). Although The Telegraph have our, "hopes of landing Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema ... receding, with the former increasingly likely only to leave Bayern Munich for Madrid and the latter intent on staying in France for another season."

The Daily Star float the name of "Toulouse hitman Andre-Pierre Gignac" in connection with us, but The Mail say he's set to replace Benzema at Lyon.

The Sun's new rumour is:

United are also poised to bid £8m for Hertha Berlin's Serb star Gojko Kacar, 22 who can play in the centre of midfield or defence.

The Telegraph throw a few names about while making silly claims about the ability of our current squad:

Ferguson must also decide whether to add a further wide player to his ranks. Ronaldo’s departure will herald a restructuring of the side, with Valencia unlikely to be given the freedom the Portuguese enjoyed from his berth on the right. With doubts over Nani and Park Ji-Sung’s ability at the highest level, Zoran Tosic inexperienced and Giggs a fading force, Ferguson may yet choose to move for Valencia’s David Silva to provide more balance to the side, while Gremio’s Brazilian starlet Douglas Costa remains an attractive, if risky, option.

Great quotes from Vidic today:

"My wife Ana is unhappy with our lifestyle in Manchester but I am not going to change my mind as I am happy with the team and Manchester and the club’s ambitions for next season,.

“I got offers from Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid and I played a very honest game — I disclosed all these offers to my boss Sir Alex.

“He reacted quickly. I was told he was raising my pay to bring it to the level where my reputation is in the Premier League and Europe.

“After Milan and Real Madrid made their offers, Barcelona came in — but after Sir Alex’s move, I am definitely staying in Manchester until my contract expires in 2012.

“I don’t care that I will still not be paid as much as my good friends Rio Ferdinand or Wayne Rooney but I guess I will be at the same level as Berbatov and Carrick.”

There should be more footballers like that in the world (not looking in the general direction of Tevez ... honest...)

On the leaving side, The Mirror suggest that Lee Martin could be going to join Roy Keane at Ipswich.

Finally, The Sun pointlessly dredges up the story about the Ronaldo deal being arranged months ago. WOW. Can't they stick to making up transfer rumours?