SOCCER: Manchester United have scored a major summer transfer coup by swooping for highly-rated Portugal-based duo Anderson and Nani.
Most of the best clubs in Europe, including Chelsea and Real Madrid, have been linked with one of the pair at some stage over the past few months. But a flying visit to Portugal by United's chief executive David Gill and Alex Ferguson's assistant Carlos Queiroz has proved exceptionally fruitful.
Fees have been agreed with the players' respective clubs - FC Porto and Sporting Lisbon - and personal terms have also been sorted out.
All that remains are the medicals and, in Anderson's case, a work permit, before the formal conclusion of the transfers are announced.
With a deal to sign Owen Hargreaves from Bayern Munich virtually done and dusted as well, Ferguson has not allowed the grass to grow under his feet since United were crowned champions earlier this month.
Ferguson suggested he was after at least three new players to bolster his squad. But no one expected him to act so quickly, with the overall fees for all three men likely to exceed the £40 million mark, the first major cash splurge since Malcolm Glazer's controversial buyout almost two years ago.
Anderson has been one of the most sought-after young talents in the game since he was crowned player of the tournament in the 2005 World Under-17 Championships. The Brazilian teenager, who has established himself as one of the best attacking midfielders in the Portuguese League, has been named by national coach Dunga in a preliminary squad for this summer's prestigious Copa America.
United have been tailing Nani for some time but appeared to have been thwarted in their attempts to sign him when it was suggested the 20-year-old was ready to extend his stay with Sporting. However, the proposed contract remained unsigned, allowing Ferguson to step in and snap up the Portugal international.
Ferguson will cross his fingers and hope his new arrivals enjoy the same kind of success as the last player he signed from Portugal, footballer of the year Cristiano Ronaldo.
Their arrivals should certainly help Ronaldo feel at ease, particularly if the winger's friend Gabriel Heinze is sold this summer as expected.
It is certainly an astute piece of business by Ferguson, who realises two of his main attacking stars, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes - while outstanding this season - are reaching the end of their careers.
With Hargreaves on board as well and the likelihood of a big-name striker being signed, United have signalled a statement of intent for the new campaign.
All the new arrivals will make their bows on the club's pre-season Far East tour.
However, the Old Trafford outfit are believed to be close to abandoning the final Malaysian leg of the trip.
The Old Trafford outfit had hoped a personal visit from Gill to Malaysia could help resolve the row which has erupted over their visit, which was part of the country's 50th anniversary celebrations but also clashes with the prestigious Asia Cup.
However, with the Asian Football Confederation holding the right of veto over the fixture, scheduled for July 27th, and showing no sign of bending, the point is approaching when United finally admit defeat and find an alternative fixture to slot into a pre-season programme, which already includes an Old Trafford encounter with Inter Milan on August 1st.
West Ham are understood to have made a bid for Newcastle captain and England international Scott Parker.
