Man Utd target rising England star Rodwell

Everton's Jack Rodwell could be headed to Old Trafford next month. (FILE)

Published Wednesday, December 14, 2011

By Staff

Sir Alex Ferguson will launch a £20 million January bid for Everton youngster Jack Rodwell as Manchester United's midfield crisis deepens with the enforced absence of Darren Fletcher.

Rodwell was already a long-term Ferguson target but the Scot will now move to snap up the England international when the transfer window re-opens next month.

United have been dealt a series of injury blows that have left the Premier League champions having to consider the urgent signing of additions after the likes of Tom Cleverley, Anderson and Fletcher left the club with few central midfield options.

Ferguson will hope that the modest form of the cash-strapped club will help to lure the 20 year-old Southport midfielder away from Goodison Park.

Even though the Toffees man is tied up to a long term contract, the offer of £20m for the youngster may well be just too good to turn down for the Merseyside outfit who were the only Premier League side to not spend a single penny on new signings over the summer.

Rodwell is in his fourth season as a Everton regular and is now in the senior England set-up and the midfield battler may feel that a high profile move in January could help him stake a claim in Fabio Capello’s Euro 2012 squad.

David Moyes has backed Everton youngster as one of the emerging talents to make the cut for England's Euro campaign.

The midfielder impressed during friendlies against Spain and Sweden last month after Fabio Capello promoted him to the senior Three Lions squad.

"Jack might have a good chance of making the squad because he has got what Germany went into the World Cup with," Moyes told the Daily Express.

Earlier in his career Rodwell was touted to become a top centre-half, but Moyes believes the attacking side of his game means he is more effective in midfield.

"People have said many times that Jack is going to be a centre-half, but not at the moment," added the manager.

"He has great ability to score, and he should have found the net against Sweden. He has energy and athleticism, which allow him to get into the box and join in.

"A lot of teams play with one striker - and England might well do the same - so you need your midfield players to get up and get beyond the ball. Jack would give you that.

"He has a great shot with both feet and he can head the ball. So he has got a bit of something different for you all of the time."

Sir Alex Ferguson has brought in the likes of Javier Hernandez, Smalling, David de Gea and Jones as he looks to build for the future and a move to sign Rodwell would help greatly in that endeavour.

Man United do not possess a true out and out defensive midfielder at present and the Everton man would appear to be the perfect fit for the role.