Neighbourly Love in Manchester?

Every so often there are transfer that breaks down barriers both social and geographical. Figo leaving Barca for Real Madrid was a shocker, Sol Campbell swapped Tottenham for Arsenal and a number of player have gone from AC Milan to Inter and vice versa including Seedorf and Pirlo.

So should we join the trend?

As much as I dislike Manchester City they have a couple decent players and in the case of the player I’m thinking of they seemingly don’t know it!

We have been linked with James Milner this summer but there is a cheaper option at Eastlands, Stephen Ireland.

Now I know many won’t want us signing City players and his off field capers have made him somewhat of a joke but Ireland is decent player and had been on trial with us when younger so in an off the cuff kind of way it would be a home coming!

He is versatile enough to play in a number of roles in the midfield. He is extremely creative and his final ball is usually spot on. Technically he is sound and last season no one can doubt he shone for them, winning their senior player of the year award as well as the Greater Manchester player of the year award too.

This season he lost his place in the team and may not have reached the same heights but a change of scenery may be just the thing to see him rediscover his form having lost his place in their team. He is clearly unhappy there and has handed in a transfer request so that could mean anyone who does move to sign him gets him on the cheap, exactly what we are looking for right now.

He has no international commitments and works like a mule in training both aspects that make a deal look that much sweeter. The only problem I see is the fact he is a City player and his attitude but if we can sign Owen and cheer for him when he downed City in September I think his past would be quickly forgotten if he performed.