Manchester United are reportedly leading the chase for Barcelona's Xavi, with the midfielder currently stalling over a new contract with the Catalan club. The Barcelona playmaker, who would cost in the region of £20 million, could solve Sir Alex Ferguson's current injury concerns after Owen Hargreaves was ruled out for the rest of the season with an ongoing tendinitis problem.

Xavi, who was voted Euro 2008's best player after leading Spain to victory, could also be a long-term replacement for Paul Scholes, who is coming to the end of a glittering career at Old Trafford and whose contract expires in 2010.

Real Madrid are ready to renew old rivalries with Manchester United as they enter the race for Adem Ljajic, skysports.com understands. The 17-year-old Partizan Belgrade midfielder, known as Little Kaka, impressed United's coaching staff last month after undergoing a trial at Old Trafford. Ljajic has caught the eye of a number of clubs in recent months after shining for both his club domestically and for his country, in the recent European Under-19 Championship qualifying round.

United moved swiftly to make contact with the player, one of the most highly- rated young prospects in Europe, in offering him a trial in Manchester. It is thought the Premier League champions are keen to secure Ljajic's services on a permanent basis, but could now face stiff competition from Real. Relations between United and their Spanish counterparts are somewhat strained at present following the Cristiano Ronaldo saga over the summer and a recent exchange between Sir Alex Ferguson and Real president Ramon Calderon.

Manchester United and Portsmouth are both tracking Serbia star Milos Krasic.

The 24-year-old is currently with Russian giants CSKA Moscow - but he is attracting major interest from around Europe after a string of highly impressive performances. The right-winger moved to Russia in 2004 after they snapped him up from Vojvodina - where he was already captain. He has since become an integral part of the CSKA set-up and one of the most highly-rated forwards in the Russian league. United are well versed with the Russian scene having signed, coincidentally, Krasic's international team-mate Nemanja Vidic from Spartak Moscow. Now Krasic is catching the attention, and both United and Pompey are understood to have watched him in midweek.

Manchester United and Manchester City are leading the chase for Bolton starlet Jack Sampson, skysports.com understands.

The 15-year-old striker - who stands over 6ft - is one of the brightest prospects in English football and a host of clubs are battling to land him. Bolton are obviously keen to keep their home-grown star, but it now seems Sampson is set to depart The Reebok Stadium. Sampson is not due to leave school until next summer, but his future is set to be decided over the next few weeks. City have been leading the chase for Sampson and have been monitoring him for more than a year, although they are not the only top-flight club keen to secure his services.

United have also entered the fray and are ready to offer Sampson the chance of a move to Old Trafford and are hopeful of beating their city rivals to the England youth international. Tottenham and Newcastle are also attempting to land Sampson, who will soon decide on where he will begin his professional career.

United are poised to make an £18million swoop for Wigan ace Wilson Palacios. SunSport understands the champions could nab the midfielder as early as January, although the deal is more likely to happen at the end of the season. A close pal of Palacios said: “You know the rapport between Steve Bruce and Alex Ferguson. They’re very close. United have been following Wilson closely for some time. Steve benefited from his rapport with Sir Alex and was able to keep Wilson for six months or a year more. Nothing is signed but there’s a moral agreement. Wigan have set the bar high, £18m. It’s possible it could be done in January.”
Antony Kastrinakis, The Sun

Club Note: This same reporter printed the same story last May with a valuation of £8 million at the time.

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Turkey Under-21 international Sercan Yildirim after the player claimed he had been contacted by the Red Devils.

The Bursaspor striker, valued at £5m, is considered one of the country's promising players and has produced some eye-catching performances so far this season.

Yildirim, 18, is joint top-scorer of the Turkcell Super Lig with Galatasary striker Milan Baros having found the net four times in as many matches.

"Manchester United have been in contact with my family and the president of my club - that makes me very happy," Yildirim told Turkish media.

Rennes youngster Jeremy Halan is refusing to train as he looks to secure a move to Manchester United. The highly-rated 17-year-old has progressed through the youth ranks of the French club and recently signed a trainee contract with Guy Lacombe's side. However, Manchester United are understood to be interested in signing Halan and the player is desperate for the transfer to go ahead. Rennes have been disappointed with Halan's reaction and general manager Pierre Dreossi has told him that he cannot leave.

"He has still not joined in training sessions," Dreossi told France Football. "He is under contract, but he wants to join Manchester United. The problem is we don't want to sell. "I can't see how it could be possible for him to leave. He has signed a contract with his parents." Halan has now been banned from the national Under 17 team after Rennes asked the French League to take action.

Meanwhile the Dimitar Berbatov saga continues with Juande Ramos leaving the Bulgarian star out of the squad to face Sunderland stating that the star was not in the right frame of mind to play. With the transfer deadline looming it is make or break in the coming days if United are to lure the Spurs star to Old Trafford

Alex Ferguson has hinted that he will sign a new player before the start of the season. Many believe that this player will be Dimitar Berbatov, however Tottenham are holding out for £30million which may prove too much for United. With this in mind United could turn their attentions to Thierry Henry. Sir Alex has not yet ruled out a move for the former gunners captain.

Spanish Media are also reporting that Valencia have turned down a £20 million bid for attacking midfielder David Silva. Silva has stated his desire to stay in Spain with a potential move to Barcelona on the cards.

United are also monitoring Ghana internation midfield sensation Anthony Annan. Annan is currently on trial at Blackburn but United have been alerted and could be poised to move for Annan.

Although Dimitar Berbatov is still top of Uniteds wanted list the deal is now in doubt as Spurs are demanding a British record £35 million for the Bulgarian striker. United could now turn to Roque Santa Cruz or Klass Jan Huntelaar. Another surprise name that as once again surfaced is that of Thierry Henry. United enquired about the Frenchmans availability earlier this year but were told he was part of Barcelona future plans, however Samuel Eto has not moved as expected which may open the door for United to bring the prolific striker back to the premiership.

United are ready to sell Louis Saha to big-spending Paris St Germain to raise money for new arrivals. The injury-jinxed French striker, 29, is wanted by PSG who have signed Chelsea veteran Claude Makelele and is interested in going home if a fee and personal terms can be agreed.

With the season now over the summer transfers are on everyones lips. Currently United are strongly being linked with Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano. Reports suggest Sir Alex has been very impressed with the prolific striker and may make a summer bid. Klass Jan-Huntelaar, Dean Ashton, Michael Owen and Kenwyne Jones are other strikers who's names have been linked with a summer move.

On the defensive front, United have been linked with moves for Micah Richards, Daniel Alves, while Wilson Palacios could be a new midfield recruit.

United will sit down with Wigan next week to thrash out an £8million deal for Wilson Palacios. The Sun revealed last month Sir Alex Ferguson had targeted Honduras ace Palacios and his Latics’ Ecuador team-mate Luis Antonio Valencia. An insider said:

“There has been contact between the clubs and Wigan have told United Palacios would cost £8m. Steve Bruce wants to keep him but it’s difficult to stand in the player’s way when United come calling. Valencia may stay at Wigan one more season but nothing’s been decided yet.”

Antony Kastrinakis, The Sun

As the season comes to a close, the tabloids are already speculating as to the extent of United's potential summer transfer activity.

The Reds have long been linked with reinforcements upfront, but for the first time West Ham striker Dean Ashton's name has been thrown into the mix.

The Daily Star claim that Sir Alex Ferguson wants a burly striker to boost his forward line's physical presence, and the form of Hammers striker Ashton has apparently caught his eye.

Speculation surrounding movement in and out of Old Trafford this summer has been mounting since the transfer window closed in January, and the rumour mill has been no less active in April.

Rumours still abound that United will chase Tottenham's Bulgarian forward Dimitar Berbatov, while Falkirk’s lesser known but highly-rated young midfielder Scott Arfield is a new name to be linked with the Reds.

As for departures, there is recurring speculation linking Cristiano Ronaldo with a move to Spanish champions Real Madrid. Further conjecture links the Reds' young centre-back Gerard Pique with Madrid’s great rivals Barcelona.

Ezequiel Garay has no preferred choice of his next club after reports claimed Manchester United are now the favourites to sign the Racing Santander defender. Barcelona had previously been expected to sign Garay in the summer for a fee in the region of £14million.

But reports suggest Barcelona no longer want to bring in the Argentine centre-half, prompting speculation that United are now leading the chase. United scout Martin Ferguson has watched Garay in action on several occasions this season, while Juventus also hold an interest in the 21-year-old. Garay is remaining calm regarding his future, but acknowledged his wish to play for a big club, if he is offered a move.

Chelsea and Manchester United were last night on red alert after Spanish ace David Villa revealed he is ready to quit Valencia. Villa, rated at £20million, is one of the most feared strikers in Europe and has been targeted by both the Blues and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
The 26-year-old said: “As is only right, I need to think about my future and I am open to any solution. “I will take into consideration all the offers that I am made, obviously with the blessing of the club where I am under contract.” Villa – who is expected to be a key man for Spain at this summer’s Euro 2008 finals – has also been linked with Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Villarreal insist no offers have been received from Premier League clubs for goalkeeper Diego Lopez. The Spanish shot-stopper has impressed for Villarreal this season since joining the club from Real Madrid last summer. Lopez had come through the ranks at the Bernabeu, but moved on in search of regular first-team football. His performances this term have seen scouts flocking to El Madrigal, with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur rumoured to have watched Lopez in action. But Villarreal are in no mood to sell the 26-year-old and have slapped a mammoth price tag on the keeper.

"Diego Lopez has a value in the market of 24million euros (£18.85m) and this sum is the only one that we would study for the player's possible sale," a club spokesman told skysports.com. "We have not received a formal offer for the kid, but the presence of foreign scouts to watch our players is not rare." Lopez, who is under contract with Villarreal until 2011, is not expecting to be distracted by the rumours surrounding his future. He said: "My challenge is to show a good level every day and I am not obsessed with the rumours in the papers."

Cameroon international Stephane Mbia is the subject of interest from a host of Europe's top clubs. The defensive midfielder, who can also play at right-back, is currently with Ligue 1 side Rennes and excelled for his country at the recent Africa Cup of Nations. He still has two years to run on his contract in France, but admits that he will be weighing up his options over the summer. Any deal would be likely to cost any potential suitor around £10million, although that price tag is unlikely to put off the clubs believed to be interested in acquiring his services.

"I'll think at the end of the year if the big offers I am receiving are still up to date," Mbia said in the Manchester Evening News. "I've had contact from teams in England and Italy. There are contacts with Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and in Spain there is Barcelona as well. "For the moment I'm not thinking of it and I will stay with Rennes. "I'll rely on people like general manager Pierre Dreossi, who knows me and my parents very well. Then it'll be me who takes a decision."

Cardiff City have confirmed reports that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has contacted them over their rising star Aaron Ramsey. The 17-year-old midfielder has played in key role in the club's unlikely run for the FA Cup, and several other Premiership sides, including Newcastle and Everton, will doubtlessly be watching him very closely during the upcoming semi-finals.

"Sir Alex Ferguson did make a telephone call to DaveJones but that is the only contact of any sort," revealed Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale. "It was no more than a call to ask what the youngster is like. We know of course there is strong interest in Aaron among a number of Premier League clubs," he added. "But nobody has made any sort of offer and we certainly have not agreed anything." According to the Welsh media, Ferguson will be looking to prise Ramsey away from Ninian Park with a £5m-plus offer this summer.

The transfer window may have long since slammed shut but still the rumour mill touts players for a future move to Manchester. A link with Espanyol goalkeeper Carlos Kameni follows the more-publicised speculation surrounding Lyon striker Karim Benzema and his team-mate in midfield Hatem Ben Arfa. Meanwhile Barcelona a fee in the region of £40million has been mentioned although United are currently negotiating an improved deal for Ronaldo which should keep him at Old Trafford for the foreseeable future.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas claims Sir Alex Ferguson has enquired about Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa. The highly-rated attacking duo have been repeatedly linked with a move to the Premier League, with Arsenal and Chelsea rumoured to hold an interest. Back in the autumn, Aulas warned any interested clubs that Benzema and Ben Arfa would not be sold until Lyon had won the UEFA Champions League.

The French champions meet United next week in the last 16 of Europe's elite club competition and Aulas claims Ferguson has been in touch. But the Lyon supremo is in no mood to sell the youngsters in the near future after United were linked with a £40million double swoop. "I told Sir Alex that Benzema and Ben Arfa will not leave in the next two years," Aulas is quoted in The Sun.

Manchester United are preparing to announce the signing of Fabio and Rafael Silva, Brazil’s answer to the Neville brothers. The 17-year-old twins, who are identical, are scheduled to arrive in Manchester on Monday to join United in a joint £5.2 million transfer from Fluminense, a deal that has been two and a half years in the planning. Like Gary and Phil Neville, the Silva brothers are full backs, with Rafael operating on the right flank and Fabio on the left, even though both are right-footed. They caught Sir Alex Ferguson’s eye in a youth tournament in Hong Kong in 2005, during United’s preseason tour to Asia, and signed precontract agreements with the Barclays Premier League club when they turned 16 in July 2006. Initially the plan was for them to move to Manchester this summer, but the deal has been brought forward now that they have received the necessary paperwork. The twins excelled for Brazil in the Under-17 World Cup finals in South Korea last August, with Fabio, the captain, finishing as his country’s leading scorer.
Oliver Kay, The Times.

Hertha Berlin's Gilberto has refused to reject speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United.

German newspaper Bild am Sonntag claims that the Brazilian left-back's agent has negotiated a two-year deal with The Red Devils which will come into effect when the 31-year-old's contract expires at the end of the season.

And Gilberto has remained coy about the rumours, while confirming that he has received a number of offers.

Manchester United are preparing a £12million offer for long-term target Klaas Jan Huntelaar. Boss Alex Ferguson failed to get the prolific Ajax striker last January. The towering Dutch international is in his third season with Ajax after spells with PSV Eindhoven and Heerenveen. He has scored 53 goals in just 65 games for the club and the 24-year-old has been compared to Dutch legend Marco van Basten and Ruud van Nistelrooy, who served under Fergie so well until his move to Real Madrid for £11m in July 2006. Nicknamed ‘The Hunter’, Huntelaar has nine full international caps and three goals. He is Holland’s top all-time Under-21 scorer with 18 goals in 22 games. Huntelaar is also a target for Juventus and has been watched by Arsenal. Ajax value the player at £18m but they are in financial trouble and may be forced to accept United’s first offer.

Neil Custis, The Sun

The striker has made a big impact since moving to the KC Stadium in October, scoring six goals in 14 appearances. Tigers boss Phil Brown was anxious to retain Campbell, with the player now accepting a loan extension.

Meanwhile United youngster Jonny Evans has joined Sunderland on load for the remainder of the season.

The Sun claims a right-back is United's priority and names Rangers and Scotland defender Alan Hutton (right) as a potential £6m target.

The same newspaper also suggests two players could be leaving Old Trafford when the window opens: "Chinese striker Dong Fangzhuo has not impressed while Wes Brown has refused a new deal."

The Kinshasa-born 25-year-old was previously linked with a 20 million euro move to the English top flight, but United are said to be thinking more in the 11-12 million range. While the player would surely be welcomed to the Lusitanian camp at Old Trafford, one possible sticking point is that the six-times capped Portuguese international is cup-tied in Europe. The Red Devils have yet to comment on the situation.

The Express, Star and Mirror say that Fergie will offer Brown, Saha and £6m to tempt the Bulgarian international away from White Hart Lane. A cheeky offer when you consider Saha's horrendous injury record and that Brown will be a free agent in the summer.

According to the sports site apart from this, Manucho, who is part of the pre-selected players for the African Cup of Nations (CAN2010) of Coach Oliveira Gonçalves, does not have enough international caps to obtain a work visa in England. The case is the same as that of the Brazilian Anderson, who was transferred from F.C. Porto to the red devils.

According to the same source, in case Man United does not overcome the situation, as it did with Anderson, the Angolan striker Manucho might be heading to Portugal, on loan. However, his arrival in Europe might only occur in February, depending on Angola`s performance in CAN2010.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is said to be planning a £21m bid for Olympique Lyonnais striker Karim Benzema.

The young Frenchman is top scorer in Ligue 1, already an international and highly regarded by most of Europe's top coaches, with some hailing him the successor to Thierry Henry. Ferguson is keen to bring the 19-year-old to Old Trafford, but Lyon's price increased after Benzema produced another sensational display for the Gones against Rangers in the Champions League, a game United scouts went to watch. Sir Alex had been hoping to land the teenager on a purely player-swap deal, with Old Trafford French duo Louis Saha and Mikael Silvestre heading to the Stade Gerland.

But reports indicate Lyon now want around £6m (€10m) plus those two players for Benzema's services. A source close to United told The People newspaper: "United have had to offer more than they would have wanted for Benzema, but after his display the other night Ferguson is even more convinced he's grabbing a massive star."

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Four and a half years after missing out on his signature, rumours abound that Sir Alex Ferguson could finally sign Ronaldinho. The Catalan club insist that they are "not going to sell Ronaldinho [and] are not in contact with any team" concerning the Brazilian forward. Chelsea and AC Milan are seen as frontrunners to sign the 27-year-old should Barca decide to cash in. But the Sunday Mirror believes United could be his preferred choice. United are also being linked with Reading left-back Nicky Shorey as cover for Patrice Evra, or Lokomotiv Moscow's versatile Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic. An international team-mate of United's defensive rock Nemanja Vidic, Ivanovic would cost a reported £10million.

Meanwhile, following rumours that United will rival Arsenal for the signature of defender Miguel Veloso, Sporting Lisbon have denied that the Reds have first option to sign the Portuguese U21 international. Monaco striker Jeremy Menez is tipped to be at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war between United and Liverpool, who have both been alerted by the 20-year-old striker's displays this season. According to the tabloids, United are definitely looking at the younger end of the market, with 17-year-old Nigerian starlet Macauley Chrisantus also linked, along with Partizan Belgrade's Stevan Jovetic.