The Insider- Manchester United keen on Mesut Ozil

Last updated : 13 June 2011 By Daily Mail

His column, published every weekday, offers an insight into the deals which will be done and those that won't - and why.

A 5/5-rating means The Insider reckons it's a done deal; 0/5 means The Insider has his mortgage on it not happening.

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?MESUT OZIL Real Madrid to Manchester United THE INSIDER says: 2/5

MICHAEL ESSIEN Chelsea to Real Madrid THE INSIDER says: 3/5

Sir Alex Ferguson is looking to bring in the best young talent and has been weighing up the pros and cons of several attacking and creative midfielders.

He needs two players with Paul Scholes having retired and Luka Modric and Wesley Sneijder are among the big names on his list.

But Madrid say he has also made an enquiry for Germany international Ozil who has enjoyed a successful first season in Spain.

Although the 22-year-old is well thought of at the Bernabeu, he is frustrated at the fact he rarely completes a game and is nearly always substituted by Jose Mourinho.

The coach says it is all part of his education and partly down to tactical reasons as they look to close out certain games but that has encouraged Ferguson to ask about a player he has coveted for some time.

However, the initial reaction out of Madrid today is that Ozil wants to stay and fight for his place.

Jose Mourinho is a huge admirer of Essien but initial enquiries from Madrid have provoked quotes of ?38million for the 28-year-old midfielder nicknamed The Bison.

That has prompted Mourinho to explore other deals. Juventus would consider a swap for Lassana Diarra with combustable Brazilian Felipe Melo while Rennes' Yann M'Vila has also emerged on their radar.

Chelsea want to freshen up their midfield with Luka Modric, Javier Pastore, Wesley Sneijder, Kevin de Bruyne and Jack Rodwell all among their possible targets and that will mean some of the old guard being forced out.

Essien is well thought of by his team-mates and coaching staff and it may be that Jon Obi Mikel would be a more suitable offering for sale instead.

Chelsea will look to redress the balance of their spending and sell a few of their squad but that, of course, will depend on Guus Hiddink's advice.

?MATT MILLS Reading to Wolves THE INSIDER says: 3/5

RYAN SHAWCROSS Stoke City to Liverpool THE INSIDER says: 3/5

Manager Brian McDermott has admitted he is powerless to prevent his players joining Premier League clubs following their failure to earn promotion via the play-off final.

Interest is gathering in Shane Long with Bayern Munich even checking on his background although Newcastle, Everton and Celtic remain more realistic.

Mills is in a similar position with Wolves manager Mick McCarthy a big fan.

McCarthy would also like Birmingham's Roger Johnson but that looks too expensive so Mills is more realistic.

Stoke, Newcastle and West Brom have also been linked in the past but McCarthy has pedigree for blending Championship players into his squad and already has a couple of Mills' ex-team-mates at Molineux.

Reading are already looking at potential replacements and they are ready to join Ipswich and Charlton in the race for Colchester's Magnus Okuonghae.

There's no doubt that the 23-year-old Shawcross is highly thought of behind the scenes at Anfield. Certainly at the Britannia Stadium he has often impressed against Liverpool and is pivotal to the way Stoke City play.

However, chairman Peter Coates will not let him go cheaply and there is the added complication that Manchester United still have first refusal on any transfer.

Liverpool are considering their options; Gary Cahill looks likely to join Arsenal, Scott Dann may lack a bit of pace, Mamadou Sakho is leaning towards a stay at ambitious Paris St Germain and Lyon's Dejan Lovren would struggle to get a work permit. They still have irons in the fire and Shawcross has never been too far from their thinking.

Tottenham would like him and could offer players in return but so could Liverpool. They need to offload several fringe players although the obvious candidate Sotirios Kyrgiakos is understood to be not overly keen on a move to the Britannia.

Don't miss your daily instalment of The Insider every weekday through the transfer window here at MailOnline.??Mourinho eyes Essien reunion as Real Madrid prepare ?18m swoop for Chelsea starPREMIER LEAGUE NEW KIT SPECIAL: Strips your team will wear in 2011-12Club-by-club guide to all the Barclays Premier League summer transfers

?Explore more:People: Paul Scholes, Alex Ferguson, Michael Essien, Scott Dann, Felipe Melo, Simon Jones, Wesley Sneijder, Mick McCarthy, Gary Cahill, Brian McDermott, Roger Johnson, Jose Mourinho, Ryan Shawcross, Mesut Ozil, Luka Modric, Lassana Diarra Places: Liverpool, Madrid, Newcastle, Lyon, Birmingham, Germany, Spain

Source: Daily Mail

Source: Daily Mail