15 February 2007, by Sean Gillen

Andrade issues come and get me plea to Premiership clubs

Chelsea or Man United likely destination for classy defender

Deportivo La Corunna defender Jorge Andrade has again hinted that he would be interested in a summer move to the Premiership, while some of Spain’s big hitters have also been linked with the Portuguese.

The 28-year-old was expected to leave the Riazor last summer, but any move was disrupted by a serious knee injury that saw him miss the World Cup. It is now widely expected that this will be Andrade’s last season in Galicia.

Spanish newspaper AS reported that Valencia have been negotiating with Deportivo president Augusto Lendoiro for Andrade’s signature, while Barcelona director Txiki Begiristain recently admitted that the former Porto man is on the list of possible signings for the summer.

It is believed that Depor are holding out for a fee in the region of €10m, which could see Premiership champions Chelsea at the front of the chase. The Blues’ Portuguese boss Jose Mourinho reportedly tried to sign Andrade in January, but the move broke down.

Andrade, who at one stage said that he would “walk to Manchester with his eyes closed” in order to sign for Premiership leaders Manchester United, has again suggested that he would like a move to England.

“It’s fantastic to play in England. People there love football,” he said.

“Playing with (Ricardo) Carvalho is very easy. He is a fantastic player. We play together with our eyes shut. We’ll see if I come to the Premiership. Nothing is impossible in life.”

“I concentrate on my club and until the summer I have to show everyone I am okay. I was injured for some time and now I am getting stronger. In the summer we will see.”