Last Train To London

Not much around today, even taking into account the transfer rumouring.

Main story is some quotes from Modric which strongly suggest he might be on his way to Chelsea if the price is right.  Both The Telegraph and The Mail have what they describe as exclusive interviews, but it must have been a conference call because the quotes they have are very similar. The important ones, from The Telegraph:

“I would like to go to Chelsea. A lot of players would like to go there and play for Chelsea because it is one of the best clubs in the world, and so do I, I would like to play there. But we will see what will happen.

“Chelsea are a great club, they play in the Champions League every year, they have great players, they are ambitious and have an ambitious owner who wants to invest in the club and make it win the Champions League, the Premier League and other titles. They are going in a great direction and everything about the club is very good.” ...“I have settled very well in London and my family also,” he said. “We are happy there. It is also near to Croatia, two hours on the plane so everything about London is great they [Chelsea] are the only one who sent an offer and they are at the moment my first-choice.”

Which sounds very much like won't be coming to Manchester any time soon.  The most notable feature of The Daily Mail's report is the way they trumpet "being first all week" with the Modric news, then show a headline they had earlier in the week about him going to Man City...

Talking of City, The Daily Star report that they are going to beat us to the signing of Daniele De Rossi from Roma, which rumour of our interest I must have missed.

From the You Heard It Here First Department - Both The Daily Star and The Mail have the story about Varane going to Real that I mentioned yesterday.

Ritchie De Laet's loan to Norwich is confirmed:

Norwich have confirmed the signing of the defender Ritchie De Laet on a season-long loan from Manchester United, "subject to the relevant paperwork being completed".

The Sun describe our opening few fixtures as "a nightmare" which isn't too far from the truth, only thing that went for us is the tough ones are at home.

And finally. Wayne Rooney is rich:

WAYNE ROONEY is the only Premier League player to crack the top 20 in world sport's Rich List.

Manchester United ace Rooney slips in at No 18 in the annual rankings.