Record English Premier League champions Manchester United and manager Sir Alex Ferguson are looking to add a few more players into the side in order to be able to compete with the likes of big spenders Chelsea and the Abu Dhabi backed Manchester City and have made FC Porto winger James Rodriguez a priority signing ahead of the new season. With Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa and Crewe Alexandria starlet Nick Powell already in the bag, Fergie is looking to sign another wide man after it has been made clear that Portuguese winger might be on the way out of Old Trafford.
Sir Alex had the 20 year old winger followed throughout last season with chief scout and his younger brother Martin Ferguson being a regular at the stands during FC Porto games to run the rule over the Colombian. Reports in Portugal suggest that United have already had a £ 30 million bid turned down for the winger by the club, who are holding out for £ 40 million, the buyout clause that is reported to be in his contract after he signed a new contract with the club last year till 2015.
United were all set to land Tottenham Hotspur and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric after manager Harry Redknapp was sacked by Spurs but according to the latest reports, Modric is on his way to La Liga and Real Madrid for a fee in excess of £ 30 million. With the signing of Japanese international Kagawa for the creative midfield role, United could do without another central midfield signing for the season, especially as Tom Cleverly looks to be nearing full fitness and with reports emerging that Nani is unhappy with his contractual deadlock at The Theater of Dreams, it leaves the door open for a move for the exciting Colombian prospect, who has been hailed as the brightest talent in the country by former players.
United have been suffering for the lack of a midfield dynamo over the last two years with Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick all past their prime and Tom Cleverly on the treatment table for the most of last year. Brazilian midfielder Anderson, who was considered to be replacement for Paul Scholes has not lived up to his potential and there are high chances of him heading for the exit of Old Trafford as well.
If, however, the United boss does not manage to land Rodriguez, The Red Devils might revive their reported interest in Benfica winger Nicolas Gaitan who, according to fleeting reports in Portugal last season, was almost certain to head for Old Trafford. Although there was no concrete statement made by either party involved, Martin Ferguson was a regular in Benfica games, igniting speculations about the future of Gaitan at the Lisbon club.
United lost the English Premier League title to their Noisy Neighbors Manchester City in the dying minutes of the season on goal difference and Sir Alex is hell bent on bringing the title back and is in the market to strengthen the team even more.