Robin van Persie is still an Arsenal player with 17 days left of the transfer window, but Sir Alex Ferguson has now apparently reached out to Arsène Wenger in his efforts to lure the Dutchman north.
In the 21st century football age, it is apparently uncommon for managers to converse over potential deals. Ferguson ironically signed Eric Cantona in 1992 after Leeds United manager Howard Wilkinson rang up the Scot enquiring about Denis Irwin's availability.
But the Mirror and the Daily Mail both report Ferguson, MIA during a number of United's pre-season games as he ostensibly bids to thrash out a deal for the 29-year-old, has now gotten personal.
How that would have played out with Wenger will have been interesting considering the pair enjoy a warmer relationship than the borderline hatred which festered between them, and their clubs, between 2003 and 2005. Arguably more United supporters are keen for Ferguson to strengthen the squad's lightweight midfield rather than pursue a striker who is 30 in under a year though.
Danny Welbeck has only made 63 appearances for the Red Devils, but the Mail claim he is in line to earn £75,000 a week from his new five-year contract. Welbeck's current deal expires next year.
Another player out of contract next summer is Theo Walcott, and Internazionale have emerged as one of the more unlikely sides interested in the Arsenal man, say the Star.
Daniel Agger has spoken out about Manchester City's interest in him by stressing he is happy to stay at Liverpool.
"I'd rather stay," he told Danish newspaper Politiken. "I can't imagine playing for any other club in England but you never know if the club think it's better to sell."
That "but" may encourage City, especially since Reds manager Brendan Rodgers unsubtly hinted he would be willing to sell the Dane if the Premier League champions offered a suitable fee. According to The Guardian and various media outlets, £27m remains the asking price.
Adam Johnson has been mentioned as a makeweight/sweetener in any possible deal, but the Metro suggest Everton are interested in the England international. David Moyes may have the chance to reinvest the Jack Rodwell money into his squad, and having sold Tim Cahill and Jack Rodwell, could be seeking a better balance for the Toffees.
Everton have traditionally been a narrow side, with left-back Leighton Baines offering their best outlet for width. Steven Pienaar has been re-signed from Tottenham Hotspur but tends to drift centrally. Johnson enjoys cutting inside, but he does embody the modern winger many clubs now boast, such as Nani, Eden Hazard, Alexis Sanchez and the like.
And Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe is desperate not to go through another "heartbreaking" year on the substitute's bench at White Hart Lane. At present, he is the only first-team striker at White Hart Lane...