Mariga on loan, Wanyama stays

Inter Milan have loaned Kenyan midfielder MacDonald Mariga to Parma until the end of the season, according to the Serie ‘A’ giants.

The deal also “includes an option for Parma to purchase half the player’s rights in a co-ownership agreement,” according to Inter.

Parma was Mariga’s first club in Italy after he arrived from Swedish side Helsingborg in 2007.

The Harambee Stars midfielder joined Inter in January 2010 and went on to make 36 appearances for the Nerazzurri, scoring two goals.

Parma currently sit 10th in Serie A, 18 points behind leaders Juventus.

Inter are fourth, nine points adrift of the champions.

Meanwhile, Mariga’s younger brother, Victor Wanyama, was subject to a late £8 million bid from English Premier League leaders Manchester United on Thursday but the deal is not expected to be completed in time for the midnight deadline, with the player himself ruling out a move until the end of the season Thursday.

“I can confirm to you that I will be at Celtic until the end of this season. We are playing well and our Champions League dream is on right now, so I am looking forward to the big game against Juventus,” Wanyama told the Scottish Daily Record.

“A lot has been said about my intended move but I have not given it much thought. My manager also feels I should play until the end of the season for Celtic. From that point forward, the doors are open for a move.”

According to the sports channel ESPN, although Celtic are likely to reject the offer because of the player’s importance to them, “it would send a statement of United’s intent to move to the fore of the pack chasing his signature,” at the end of the season.

The biggest problem with the proposed move for Wanyama is understood to be United’s unhappiness with his agent - and that could mean they are prepared to look elsewhere.

Manchester United’s own official website acknowledged their interest in Wanyama with an article it published from Manchester Evening News’ Stuart Mathieson.

It said that United were “weighing up a late transfer window swoop for Celtic midfield powerhouse Victor Wanyama,” who has also been being tracked by Arsenal for months.

The Reds have scouted the 21-year-old Kenyan all season, with Sir Alex Ferguson’s brother, Martin, a frequent visitor to Parkhead.

The Old Trafford manager took a personal look at him last week during Celtic’s Scottish Premier League home win over Dundee United last week.