Report: Chelsea Chase Landon Donovan As Manchester United Eye Summer Swoop For Joe Cole

Mar 7, 2010 6:08:00 AM

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Manchester United are reportedly set to make a shock summer move for Chelsea's midfield maestro Joe Cole, with the Blues set to replace him with American midfielderLandon Donovan.

According to the Sunday People, the Premier Leaguechampions are in negotiations with the Blues over a move for Cole who is out of contract in the summer, and has seen recent contract negotiations at Stamford Bridge stall.

The tabloid claims Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to follow last summer’s free transfer swoop for Michael Owen with a similar move for the England international.

The United boss is believed to be an admirer of the 28-year-old and may finally get his man, with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich reportedly unwilling to sanction a new deal for Cole having watched him struggle to regain his best form after a long injury lay-off.

One man who could arrive to fill the void left by Cole is Los Angeles Galaxy’s Landon Donovan, who is currently enjoying a loan spell in the Premier League with Everton.

The People claims that Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has been impressed with the American’s displays on Merseyside and wants to begin talks over a possible transfer.

Everton manager Davud Moyes has already admitted he would like to extend Donovan’s Everton deal, although Galaxy’s head coach Bruce Arena has insisted the club are not interested and claimed Donovan will return stateside by March 15.

Barca's Toure looks to Valencia clash

Barcelona's Yaya Toure switched his attention to the clash with Valencia after his side dropped two points at Almeria.

The reigning champions were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos after twice trailing and also playing with a man less for the final half-hour following Zlatan Ibrahimovic's dismissal.

That draw was a setback for Barca, who subsequently lost top spot to arch rivals Real Madrid following their 3-2 win over Sevilla late last night, but Toure was keen not to dwell on it.

"It was a very difficult game, above all due to the good performance of our opponents. Now we need to work hard and prepare for next Sunday's game against Valencia, which is also very important," the powerhouse midfielder said.

"The draw isn't so bad, especially after the sending-off."

The match was blighted by some bizarre refereeing decisions from Carlos Clos Gomez.

Clos Gomez delayed the start of the match for almost a quarter of an hour as he was unhappy with Almeria's shirts, which showed a message of support for Chile following the recent earthquake and tsunami.

The official then harshly sent off Barca coach Pep Guardiola and Ibrahimovic, and incorrectly awarded a free-kick to the Catalan giants which led to their first equaliser.

Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes said about the controversies: "I don't know what happened with the sendings-off, I didn't see them. I don't understand the problem with the shirts, especially if it is a message of solidarity."

Regarding the match, Valdes added: "We tried to fight until the end but it wasn't to be. It's a shame. These are important points which have slipped away, and it's important not to let too many escape due to how close the top two are."

Premier League Saturday Review

Arsenal and Manchester United both won their games against Burnley and Wolves to keep the heat on Chelsea.

Arsene Wenger's side took the lead in the 34th minute through Cesc Fabregas but Burnley levelled in the 50th minute when David Nugent pounced to make the most of some hesitancy in the home defence.

Arsenal grabbed a second 10 minutes later when England winger Theo Walcott took a pass from Nicklas Bendtner to put the Gunners ahead. Andrey Arshavin completed the scoring in added time to leave Burnley rooted just one place off the bottom.

Arsenal vs Burnley Player Ratings

Wolves vs Manchester United Player Ratings

In the afternoon's only other game, Bolton leapfrogged West Ham with a fine 2-1 success over their struggling rivals at Upton Park.

Bolton had not won on the road since last September but Owen Coyle's side were two ahead inside the first 16 minutes when goals from Kevin Davies and Arsenal loanee Jack Wilshere stunned the home side.

West Ham tried to fightback but Alessandro Diamanti's 84th minute strike was too little too late for In the day's last game, Manchester United were made to work hard for their win over Wolves at the Molineux.

In fact, the hosts had the better of the chances in the first half and only poor finishing on their part let United off the hook. The second half saw much of the same and a draw seemed to the most likely result when a defensive error costs Wolves a goal and ulimately the match.

Antonio Valnecia sent in a skiddy ball to Nani at the edge of the box who crossed it in aimlessly. However, it fell to Wolves' Jody Craddock who could not control it and the ball bounced off his legs into the path of Paul Scholes.

The veteran midfielder finished calmly to bring up a his century of goals for the Red Devils.

Wolves had a marvellous opportunity to grab a point in extra time when substitue Sam Vokes found himself three yards from goal with the ball at his feet.

However, he snatched at the shot to send it blazing over Edwin Van der Sar and into the stands. Wolves were denied a famous point and United now stand alone at the top of the Premier League summit.Zola's side.

Fergie: Rooney a doubt for Milan game

Wayne Rooney could miss the second leg of Manchester United's Champions League clash with AC Milan on Wednesday night.

Rooney aggravated a knee injury after playing all but four minutes of England's friendly win over Egypt, and that kept him out of United's game against Wolves.

Now Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson claims it could also keep him out of their midweek European tie.

"It wasn't looking good from when he got back on Thursday - his knee was swollen," said Ferguson before the clash at Molineux.

"He's a doubt for Wednesday now, which is a bigger problem for us."

Ferguson left Rooney out of the Carling Cup final starting line-up last weekend, and was unhappy that he was not either rested or withdrawn for the national squad in midweek after being forced to play nearly an hour against Aston Villa.

However, Ferguson's annoyance was not directed at England coach Fabio Capello, but rather Rooney himself.

"I don't think he should have played," said Ferguson.

"It is his own enthusiasm that has caused it. His problem is that he can't say no.

"He told us on Sunday he was feeling his knee. Then all of a sudden people put an arm around his shoulder with England and he wants to play.

"Fabio Capello has to pick his best team. A win was important so I don't blame him at all

"I was more disappointed with Wayne. Why didn't he come off? I cant believe it."

With Michael Owen out for the season with a hamstring injury, Danny Welbeck out on loan at Preston and Federico Macheda only just returning from a lengthy spell out, Ferguson could be left with only Dimitar Berbatov and Mame Biram Diouf to take on Milan. United hold a 3-2 lead from the first leg.

Fergie: Rooney a doubt for Milan game

Wayne Rooney could miss the second leg of Manchester United's Champions League clash with AC Milan on Wednesday night.

Rooney aggravated a knee injury after playing all but four minutes of England's friendly win over Egypt, and that kept him out of United's game against Wolves.

Now Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson claims it could also keep him out of their midweek European tie.

"It wasn't looking good from when he got back on Thursday - his knee was swollen," said Ferguson before the clash at Molineux.

"He's a doubt for Wednesday now, which is a bigger problem for us."

Ferguson left Rooney out of the Carling Cup final starting line-up last weekend, and was unhappy that he was not either rested or withdrawn for the national squad in midweek after being forced to play nearly an hour against Aston Villa.

However, Ferguson's annoyance was not directed at England coach Fabio Capello, but rather Rooney himself.

"I don't think he should have played," said Ferguson.

"It is his own enthusiasm that has caused it. His problem is that he can't say no.

"He told us on Sunday he was feeling his knee. Then all of a sudden people put an arm around his shoulder with England and he wants to play.

"Fabio Capello has to pick his best team. A win was important so I don't blame him at all

"I was more disappointed with Wayne. Why didn't he come off? I cant believe it."

With Michael Owen out for the season with a hamstring injury, Danny Welbeck out on loan at Preston and Federico Macheda only just returning from a lengthy spell out, Ferguson could be left with only Dimitar Berbatov and Mame Biram Diouf to take on Milan. United hold a 3-2 lead from the first leg.