Soccer transfers and rumours

Man United eyeing Asenjo as replacement for Van der Sar ?

According to reports in the Spanish press, Manchester United are considering a £5 million pound bid for Real Valladoid keeper Andres Sergio Asenjo. The 19 year old stopper is being looked at as a long term replacement for Dutch veteran Edwin Van der Sar, who is hanging up his boots soon.

This is not the first time a major club has shown interest in Asenjo. Aston Villa, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur were linked with him, and so were Barcelona. Asenjo reportedly had a £3.3m buyout clause (4.5 million euros) in his contract which was increased to around 6 million euros after he signed a new deal in January 2008.

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Carlisle United sign Kavanagh on loan

League One side Carlisle United have secured the signing of veteran midfielder Graham Kavanagh from Sunderland on a one month loan deal.

Ex Republic of Ireland international Kavanagh arrived at the Stadium of Light from Wigan Athletic in August 2006 for £500,000. Two loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday followed as Kavanagh was unable to secure a first team spot. And with the likes of Teemu Tainio, Steed Malbranque, Grant Leadbitter and Dean Whitehead already in midfield, Kavanagh has become a fringe player at Sunderland.

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Mike Newell is new Grimsby Town manager

League Two strugglers Grimsby Town have appointed former Luton boss Mike Newell as their new manage. The Mariners had sacked Alan Buckley in mid September after picking up only two points from a possible eighteen. In their three games under caretaker manager Stuart Watkiss, Grimsby drew at Morecambe, but lost to Barnet and Rotherham.

Newell returns to management after nearly eighteen months. His contracted was terminated by Luton Town in March 2007. At Luton, Newell was not afraid to air his views, and blamed the board for not making available the funds from the sale of the club’s best players. Luton were relegated from the Championship at the end of the 2006-07 season, going down with Leeds and Southend.

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