Blues told to up Veron bid as United face Defoe fight

MANCHESTER UNITED have told Chelsea to raise their bid or forget all about landing Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron.

But, just as the Old Trafford outfit are playing hard ball with one of their own players, so West Ham are showing every indication they will not let star striker Jermain Defoe leave either.

Chelsea have until tomorrow evening to sign Veron if they are to register him in time to play in the Champions League qualifying round later this month.

However, while it is understood United would be willing to release the South American from the remaining three years of his contract, it will only be done if the price is right. And, with the offer chief executive Peter Kenyon admitted his club had received last week being deemed unacceptable by one Old Trafford insider, it leaves Chelsea having to dip a bit further into the vast resources of new owner Roman Abramovich to capture the 28-year-old.

Just as United are regularly held to ransom by selling clubs in their pursuit of players, so the Red Devils are keen to maximise any income they receive from Chelsea for Veron, cash which would allow Alex Ferguson to increase the size of his own squad in readiness for another assault on Europe and the defence of their Premiership title.

Following Sunday night's 3-1 win over Barcelona in Philadelphia, Ferguson pulled back from his week-long insistence that Veron would be a United player when they open their league campaign against Bolton at Old Trafford on August 16.

"I can't answer that," was his response to that question, before adding nothing should be read into his decision to leave Veron on the bench for the whole 90 minutes at Lincoln Financial Field.

With Cameroon international Eric Djemba Djemba due to make his United debut against Sporting Lisbon tomorrow and Kleberson likely to secure his work permit at a hearing on August 11, Ferguson knows he is top heavy with central midfielders and weak in other areas. Defensive cover is a priority because the hamstring injury Gary Neville sustained in the opening match of the successful US tour against Celtic forced Ferguson into playing Quinton Fortune as an emergency left-back for three games.

And, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now seen as the natural successor to departed England skipper David Beckham, Ferguson is also short of striking options.

Which is why it is no surprise Ferguson is coveting Defoe.

Although the interest is not believed to be as advanced as some of the speculation indicates, it is highly likely the Old Trafford outfit will launch an official raid for Defoe, who led the Hammers line for much of last season in the absence of Freddie Kanoute and Paolo di Canio.

Defoe angered Hammers officials by handing in a transfer request just days after their relegation from the Premiership was confirmed, although much of the blame was placed on his agents for acting too hastily.

Upton Park manager Glenn Roeder yesterday said: "I need to say very quickly that I would not encourage a move from Manchester United or any other club. I see Jermain Defoe as a very important member of the team this year.

"I believe he, David Connolly, and the striker we hope to bring in over the next few days will have many, many goals in them to help us gain promotion."

Meanwhile, United flew straight back to Europe yesterday after maintaining their 100% record on a tour which has proved to be a success in all departments.

And, of equal importance, the Old Trafford boss appears to have unearthed a star in £2.3million American goalkeeper Tim Howard.

Ferguson was delighted with the way Howard coped under Ronaldinho-inspired pressure during the early stages of Sunday's contest, then pinpointed the former Major Soccer League star's superb clawing save from Xavi's free-kick after the interval as one of the major reasons for United's win.

"Tim Howard made a couple of excellent saves which made a real difference," he said.

"Against Juventus last Thursday I thought he looked a bit nervous but everything he did tonight was confident and relaxed.

"We have got a lad from the States who can really compete for the number one jersey."