Tosic seals CSKA Moscow switch
Manchester United winger Zoran Tosic will join CSKA Moscow after Cologne admitted defeat in a bidding war for the highly rated youngster.
Tosic, 22, is on World Cup duty with the Serbia squad, but will finalise the permanent move away from Old Trafford after his country's campaign.
The winger struggled to fulfil his potential at United but after growing tired of a lack of first team football, he was loaned to Bundesliga side Cologne where he enjoyed good form, scoring 5 goals.
Cologne were in talks with the Red Devils about a permanent deal, and Tosic had also expressed a wish to rejoin the club, but CSKA have reportedly made an £8million bid.
The Russian club, who reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season, see Tosic as an ideal replacement for fellow Serbian Milos Krasic who is on his way out of the club.
However, Cologne director Michael Meier concedes revealed they are unable to compete with the offer for the Manchester United winger.
Speaking to Express, he said: "We made him an offer to stay.
"But the sums of money put before him make it hard for any German club to compete."
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Meier remains grateful to Tosic for helping his club avoid relegation last season with his inspired performances.
He added: "We stayed in the league thanks to Tosic, Zoran was able to show his form and is at the World Cup and Manchester United can achieve their asking price.
"But, in the end, there are only winners in the deal."
By Saad Noor
Gary Parkinson is a freelance writer, editor, trainer, muso, singer, actor and coach. He spent 14 years at FourFourTwo as the Global Digital Editor and continues to regularly contribute to the magazine and website, including major features on Euro 96, Subbuteo, Robert Maxwell and the inside story of Liverpool's 1990 title win. He is also a Bolton Wanderers fan.