Manchester United have put in place a deal that will see Michael Ballack add his considerable presence to the Premiership and replace Roy Keane as the leader of their midfield - but not until the start of the 2006-07 season.
They are also in pole position to bring Michael Owen back to the Premiership after Liverpool joined Arsenal and Chelsea in publicly declaring a lack of interest in the Real Madrid forward. The apathy has alarmed Owen and his representatives at the SFX agency, where there is a concern that the season will start with his future unresolved.
Ballack wants to leave Bayern Munich after one final season in the Bundesliga, and the preliminary details of a free transfer have been provisionally agreed for him to sign a pre-contract agreement at Old Trafford next January.
The arrival of Germany's outstanding captain would represent a significant coup for Alex Ferguson, who described Keane as "irreplaceable" at the weekend but may have to reconsider if he secures the services of a midfielder whose career incorporates 57 international caps plus 61 goals in 206 Bundesliga matches.
United believe they have a gentleman's agreement in place and, although that involves an element of risk, Ferguson and his chief executive, David Gill, have received firm assurances that Old Trafford is Ballack's preferred destination.
United can cite two reasons for not trying to bring Ballack to England a year earlier. The first is that Ferguson still believes Keane can be a dominant presence for one more season and that, despite their recent altercation about pre-season training arrangements, he does not go along with the tide of feeling that Keane can no longer hold his own at the highest level.
Of greater significance to the Glazer family, however, is the fact that Ballack will be a free agent this time next year whereas it would require a bid of around £8 million, if not more, to tempt Bayern to sell their most inspirational player now rather than lose him for nothing in 12 months. Since they took over at Old Trafford, the Glazers have made it clear that there is money available for new signings but they do not like the idea of spending so much on a player so close to the end of his contract.
It is a calculated gamble on United's part that leaves them vulnerable to Bayern trying to persuade Ballack to sign a new contract. The midfielder, who will be 29 in September, is so highly regarded at the Olympiastadion it is inconceivable that Bayern's management will not make a concerted attempt to keep him at the club.
Alternatively, several of Europe's other leading clubs may attempt to gazump United in the five months before an official announcement can be made. Although Ballack is described as having made up his mind, he has not signed a contract or made any legal agreements that cannot be broken.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid have reduced Owen's options by letting it be known they want a cash deal and will not allow him to join another club on loan. But Liverpool's manager Rafael Benitez has also made it clear that Owen's desire to return to Anfield was not reciprocated anyway.
Owen is so desperate to return to England, and preferably the north-west, it is understood he would even entertain the idea of accepting a drop in wages and that will be used by his advisers when they try to get a definitive answer from Old Trafford this week.
Owen is certainly entitled to have a bruised ego given the number of setbacks he has had to contend with. First there was the sledgehammer subtlety of Real Madrid signing the Brazilian forwards Robinho and Julio Baptista, then there was confirmation that the Spanish club were willing to say adios and then, perhaps worst of all, there has been the demoralising updates of English clubs politely turning their backs on him.
Guardian Service
