Diarra desperate to hear from Man Utd

Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra remains hopeful of an offer arriving from Manchester United.

Marca says Real are working this week on finding a buyer for the France international as they need the funds to complete a deal for Benfica fullback Fabio Coentrao.

Galatasaray have been in contact, while Juventus have offered €15 million. But Diarra wants to return to the Premier League.

United are interested, but won't consider meeting Real's €25 million asking price.

Man Utd ponder bid for Real Madrid contract rebel Di Maria

Manchester United are eyeing Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria.

The Daily Star says Di Maria's future with Real Madrid appears to be in doubt after he went public to demand a pay rise.

The news could alert Man Utd, who came close to signing Di Maria last year before he opted to join Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid for £20m.

He said: "I'm anxiously waiting for the renewal. I was told upon arrival that if I did well in the first year, I was going to improve my contract. I am nervous about waiting for this."

Real Madrid could be willing to let Di Maria go if they sign Neymar.

Ferguson ready to battle for Barcelona kid Thiago

Manchester United are monitoring Thiago Alcantara's situation at Barcelona.

El Mundo Deportivo says Thiago has concerns about his playing chances at Barca and is considering his options.

Thiago is understood to favour a move to London and Chelsea if he must leave Barca this summer.

However, Sir Alex is also keeping tabs on Thiago's situation and is having him watched at this month's U21 Euros - along with Spain teammate and goalkeeper David De Gea.

Ferguson is in the market for a young, defensive midfielder and could move for Thiago if Rennes continue to price Yann M'Vila out of a switch.

Sochaux president warns Man Utd over new French star Martin

 Sochaux president Alexandre Lacombe has warned clubs off star midfielder Marvin Martin.

Martin's exploits with France earlier this month have sparked the interest of Europe's biggest clubs - including Man Utd.

Franco-phile Fergie is considering the midfield schemer as the successor to the retired Scholes in United's midfield.

But Lacombe barked: "I am not a vendor and when I close the door, it stays closed.

"He is staying and has a contract until 2014 and we have lots to look forward to together."

Man Utd willing to top Xabi Real Madrid wages to bring him back to Northwest

Manchester United want to bring Real Madrid midfield ace Xabi Alonso back to England.

The former Liverpool midfielder is under consideration at Old Trafford as a replacement for the retired Paul Scholes.

Radio Cadena Ser says Sir Alex is making a move for Xabi and is setting up talks with the player's camp.

United are willing to better Xabi's current Real wages to tempt him back to the Northwest.

Any move to Old Trafford would prove difficult for the playmaker, who only this month has pledged his loyalty to Liverpool in an interview with the club's website.

Man Utd ponder bid for new French sensation Marvin Martin

 Manchester United are eyeing French sensation Marvin Martin.

Maxifoot says United have joined Lille, Lyon and Paris St Germain in jostling for the 23-year-old attacker, who scored twice on his debut for Les Bleus last week.

Lille have had a £7million bid rejected, apparently, with Sochaux holding out for a £15million fee for the little playmaker.

Sir Alex sees Martin as a potential replacement for the retired Paul Scholes.

Ferguson makes personal call to Sanchez: Join us!

Sir Alex Ferguson has intensified his pursuit of Udinese star Alexis Sanchez.

The Daily Mail says Ferguson is understood to have made a personal call to Udinses's Sanchez to persuade him to join United ahead of Barcelona.

The Chile forward is keen on playing in Spain but Barca are struggling to match Udinese's £30m valuation with possible makeweight Bojan Krkic keen on joining Roma if he has to leave.

Ferguson is close to Sanchez's agent and remains hopeful of bringing him to Old Trafford.

Man Utd to up the ante for Arsenal’s Nasri

Arsenal’s Samir Nasri has emerged as English champion Manchester United’s top transfer target according to reports.

The Frenchman has already been the subject of interest from the Red Devils this off-season but a recent report from skysports.com says that the Old Trafford outfit will now push hard to get their man.

Nasri has yet to sign a new deal with the Gunners and told them that he won’t until they sign new players, or at least identify some targets, in the current transfer window.

Sir Alex is close to completing deals for David de Gea, Phil Jones and Ashley Young and is now looking to lure Nasri who would be used as an apt replacement for the retired Paul Scholes.

Man Utd confident Atletico Madrid keeper De Gea will sign

Manchester United are confident their deal for Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David De Gea remains in place.

The Daily Mail says although 20-year-old De Gea insisted he will make an announcement on his future after the European Under 21 Championship, a £17m deal is already in place as United look to replace Edwin van der Sar, who retired at the end of the season.

De Gea will face England in goal for Sunday in the tournament's opening game.

The keeper is said to have agreed preliminary personal terms with United.

Alexis Sanchez would prefer Man Utd move over Barcelona!!

Manchester United know the price needed to pay for Alexis Sanchez.

The Sun says United were hoping to land the Chile golden boy, 22, for £5m less - but the Italians are refusing to lower their asking price.

Sanchez prefers a link-up with Sir Alex ahead of Barcelona, as he knows he would spend as much time on the bench as the Nou Camp pitch.

His agent, Fernando Felicevich, has met bosses at the Spanish giants to discuss personal terms but NO deal is in place.

And there is a belief at United, who have also held extensive talks, that it is a ploy by Udinese to push up Sanchez's price.

After Young, Man Utd to return to Villa for Clark

Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark is under consideration at Man Utd.

 Sir Alex is pushing to wrap up a deal for Villa's England star Ashley Young this week.

And The Sun says Fergie could also go back to Villa to get highly-rated defender Clark, 21, who would cost around £7m.

Clark also proved himself in midfield last season and his versatility is attractive to Ferguson.

Man Utd receive fresh encouragement in bid for Spurs star Modric

Manchester United have been encouraged in their pursuit of Tottenham star Luka Modric.

The Mail on Sunday says Tottenham are moving for Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole.

Cole’s move could pave the way for Modric to make a £28million switch to Man Utd.. Sir Alex Ferguson’s first-choice playmaker as a replacement for Paul Scholes is Wesley Sneijder but his Inter Milan wages of £170,000 a week after tax is a serious obstacle.

Modric earns just a fraction of that and Spurs could be tempted to sell and bring in transfer funds after landing a like-for-like replacement in Cole. The player has also indicated that he would like to move to Old Trafford to play Champions League football again.

Man Utd plan to trump Liverpool for Henderson with swap offer

Manchester United are making a late move to hijack Liverpool's deal for Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson.

The Daily Star Sunday says United are ready to offer  boss Steve Bruce a cash-plus-players package to rival Liverpool for talented youngster Henderson.

Bruce is already set to make a move for defender Wes Brown, 31, and midfielder Darron Gibson, 23, this summer.

And if SIr Alex also allows him to have Danny Welbeck back on loan, that could put the champions in pole position for England midfielder Henderson, 20.

But an offer or package worth £20million could persuade the reluctant Black Cats to do business.

Man Utd go cold over Everton midfielder Rodwell

Manchester United have gone cold on their interest for Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell.

The News of the World says United agreed a £25m deal in principle for Rodwell in January but have had a change of heart because of his injury problems and indifferent form.

Chelsea and Man Citystill have an interest in the England Under-21 international.

But without the money raised by selling Rodwell, Moyes will have to cash in on other assets to revamp Everton's squad. 

Man Utd ponder second Chivas raid for new Chicharito

Man Utd are considering a second raid on Chivas.

After the success of Javier Hernandez, United are taking a close look at 18 year-old striker Erick Torres.

Torres has been likened to Chicharito and has a host of European clubs chasing his signature.

Porto, Sporting Lisbon, Inter Milan and Man Utd are all in contact with Chivas about Torres' situation.

United have the inside-running, however, as part of their deal for Chicharito included first refusal on their best young players.

Man Utd deal for Villa star Young just days away

Manchester United are close to completing a deal for Aston Villa winger Ashley Young.

talkSPORT says Young's move to Old Trafford is only days away.

The minor details of a £15m move will be finalised shortly and the England star will provide competition on the flanks alongside Nani, Antonio Valencia and Ji-Sung Park.

The capture of Young is likely to be Manchester United’s second signing of the close season with Atletico Madrid keeper David De Gea also expected to arrive in the next couple of weeks.

Man Utd encouraged as De Rossi Roma contract talks collapse

Daniele de Rossi is edging closer to the exit door at AS Roma.

Chief scout, Martin Ferguson has made regular check on De Rossi since New year.

With just over a year to run on his existing Roma deal, Gazzetta dello Sport says De Rossi is not close to agreeing new terms.

Roma will be reluctant to allow De Rossi to wind down his contract and is prepared to sell.

Sir Alex has followed De Rossi since he first broke into the Roma first team and sees him as a potential replacement for veteran Paul Scholes.

A deal for less than £14 million could be on for United given De Rossi's contract situation.

Interestingly, new Roma sports director Walter Sabatini was in Manchester on the weekend.

Waiting for David de Gea to agree on deal and he will be Man Utd player!

Manchester United have agreed terms with Atletico Madrid for goalkeeper David de Gea.

Former Tottenham and Real Mallorca star Gerry Armstrong, now a Spanish football expert, revealed the agreement yesterday on talkSPORT.

He said: “Six or seven weeks ago Man United agreed a fee with Atletico Madrid. Everything is all in place, they’re just waiting for him to sign.

“But he has a question mark about the move. He’s a young goalie, only 20, and he’s wondering whether or not he wants to come to England now, or whether he should wait. In the next two or three weeks it will all happen.”

Mourinho urged Sir Alex to get Sneijder!

Jose Mourinho has urged Sir Alex to go for Inter Milan ace Wesley Sneijder.

Milan sources say Ferguson consulted the Real Madrid coach about Sneijder, who he won the Treble with last season at Inter.

Mourinho left Ferguson without any doubts about the quality and character of the Dutch ace.

United are now ready to offer £30 million to bring Sneijder to Old Trafford in the summer.

£15M price tag for Ajax keeper Stekelenburg

Manchester United will have to go to £15 million to land Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

The Mirror says Ajax and Holland keeper Stekelenburg is understood to be the preferred choice of Sir Alex and United goalkeeping coach Eric Steele to replace Van der Sar, who retires at the end of this season.

Stekelenburg has spent his entire career at Ajax, but is keen on a new challenge and a move to the Premier League.

United would have to pay in the region of £15million to land the 28-year-old.