Elano looks a wise choice

Last updated : 30 July 2007 By Ben Collins
I feel very differently about reports Sven is interested in United duo Mikael Silvestre and Alan Smith, however.

Elano led Brazilian giants Santos to the league title in 2004 before moving to Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk.

Shakhtar paid about £5m for Elano when he was an uncapped 23-year-old. He's since made 13 international appearances for Brazil and is still only 26, so to be linked with a £7.4m deal looks pretty good business to me.

Elano is a midfielder but can play out wide and has an eye for goal - he scored twice in Brazil's friendly win over Argentina at Arsenal last September.

So not only would he be good value, I think he'll be a great asset to the squad and he has the potential to get even better.

Silvestre and Smith, on the other hand, are both limited. They may do a job in a team like United's but put them in an average team (which we still are for the time being), and they'll be exposed as average players.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - we actually have some money now, we don't need to be buying cast-offs. We can afford to buy players in demand, players who are on the up.

Silvestre would strengthen our options on the left but I think a better target to pursue would be Leighton Baines. The Manchester Evening News has linked us with the Wigan left-back, although Everton are also keen on the England Under-21 international.

Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini looks a more likely signing but Juventus are holding out for more than the £8m Sven is willing to pay.

A 22-year-old with 6 international appearances to his name, £8m looks about right to me so it's good to see Sven refuses to be held to ransom.