Gill ready for transfer talks

Giggs, van Nistelrooy, Neville and Sir Alex Ferguson with the Vodafone Cup

14 April 2012

Manchester United chief executive David Gill said today he is planning an end-of-season summit with manager Sir Alex Ferguson to outline the summer transfer plans.

As United announced that they will host a Vodafone Cup tournament at Old Trafford on 3 and 5 August - a fourteam tournament between United, PSV Eindhoven, Boca Juniors and Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds - Gill admitted they will be planning for a new season that starts in earnest with Champions League qualification.

Ferguson is likely to argue for a large summer budget as he attempts to rival Arsenal next season following the Gunners' runaway league title triumph.

One summer target is likely to be Alan Smith, who today admitted that he would consider moving to Leeds United's bitter rivals.

The 23-year-old England striker said: "At this stage you can't rule out anything. People always say that Leeds United and Man United are big rivals, but next year we are not even going to be in the same division so it's not even a rivalry. At this stage, if I want to win trophies and I want to do well, then I've got to move on."

Meanwhile, Ferguson has admitted success for England at Euro 2004 would wreck United's Champions League preparations.

Saturday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea condemned the Red Devils to the qualifying rounds for the second time in three years. The first leg is due to be played on 11 August, four days before the start of the new Premiership campaign is due to begin.

The qualifying games will be wedged into a pre-season campaign that comprises a threematch tour to the United States, two games in the inaugural Vodafone Cup plus a potential Community Shield encounter with Arsenal on 8 August.

Up to nine members of his squad will be in Portugal for Euro 2004. "If any of them get to the final of Euro 2004 on 4 July, it is unlikely they will play in the qualifying round of the Champions League."

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Gill ready for transfer talks

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