Sir Alex Ferguson will forge ahead in his bid to make Arsenal’s Samir Nasri the final part of United’s summer transfer business.
The Reds have been quickest out of the traps in the buying stakes and have already broken their club record for close-season buys.
United crashed through the £50m mark with confirmation of the signing of goalkeeper David de Gea from Atletico Madrid for around £18m on a five-year contract.
The 20-year-old Spaniard follows Phil Jones and his fellow Englishman Ashley Young to Old Traffrd.
But Ferguson is still after the last and most important piece of the jigsaw as he targets a replacement for retired midfield playmaker Paul Scholes.
Nasri has shot to the top of the Reds’ wanted list after interest in Tottenham’s Luka Modric and Inter Milan’s Wesley Sneijder stalled.
A deal for Sneijder isn’t dead in the water, but the cheaper option of the Gunners’ Frenchman is now proving an attractive alternative for the Reds.
Initial contact has been made and United are now set to test Arsenal with a bid.
Though Sneijder was Fergie’s first choice, unresolved contract talks between Nasri and Arsene Wenger have put Fergie on red alert.
At 24 and with Premier League experience, he steals a march on two counts on the 27-year-old Sneijder, who has never operated in England.
The Reds are reluctant to spend massively on a target like the Dutchman – who is rated at £35m – when they may have little sell-on value in the long-term.
And Sneijder’s likely wage demands of £200,000-a-week are also a concern.
Nasri, at around £10m less and on a considerably cheaper salary, with the potential of sell-on cash in the future, appeals.
Barcelona’s Thiago Alcantara had emerged as another possible newcomer for the Reds, but the 20-year-old has nailed his colours to the Catalan mast and they have written a phenomenal £81m release clause into his new contract.
Meanwhile, De Gea listened to the advice of his family before leaving Atletico Madrid.
“In these cases it’s important that your family advise you and they’ve done that.
“Atletico have always fought for me. I’ve always felt wanted, but the main reason for my going is that I want to play at Manchester (United).
“Manchester United are one of the best clubs in the world and it’s an important step in my career. I’m going to do as well as possible there and try to succeed.”
“Atletico made an effort (to keep me), but my family and I have taken this decision. I want to thank everybody who has had faith in me and the fans who have always supported me.”
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