Borussia Dortmund accept Shinji Kagawa on way to Man Utd

Borussia Dortmund star Shinji Kagawa is edging closer to a sensational move to Manchester United.

Kagawa is set to become the first footballer from Japan to play for United as Dortmund resign themselves to losing the attacking midfielder.

Kagawa's contract expires in 2013 but Dortmund fear his desire to leave for United will mean an exit this summer, according to German media sources.

And they will need to accept United's proposed offer this summer as this is the last time they would be able to command a large fee for the 23-year-old.

Chelsea are also keen, but United are to offer a three-year deal to Kagawa to get the transfer done.

Man Utd make 3-year contract offer to Borussia Dortmund star Shinji Kagawa

Manchester United have made a concrete move for Borusssia Dortmund star Shinji Kagawa.

BILD says United have offered a three-year contract to Kagawa with Borussia Dortmund demanding the midfielder makes a decision over committing his future to the Bundesliga champions.

Kagawa's current deal has less than 18 months to run with Dortmund officials now resigned to losing their Japanese star to the Premier League this summer.

Ferguson eyeing Mexican U23 prospects

Manchester United are seeking to add to their Mexican contingent.

Mexico U23 coach Luis Fernando Tena has revealed talks with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson had a meeting with Tena, who told Mediotiempo that the Scot offered the chance to train at Carrington and discussed a couple of players who the Reds have scouted.

Hazard "flattered" by praise from Man Utd boss Ferguson

Lille star Eden Hazard is "flattered" he is being watched by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed his interest in Hazard this week.

"I'm flattered," the 21-year-old told Sky Sports. "I am proud to have received compliments from a manager like him. I did not know he had come to see me; nobody knew.

"Manchester United are obviously a strong team of a very high calibre, so it is normal that I want to hear what they have to offer me."

Marseille midfielder Stephane Mbia: I can play for Man Utd

Olympique Marseille midfielder Stephane Mbia wants a move to England.

Mbia admits the success of ex-teammate Hatem Ben Arfa at Newcastle United has him pining for a move to the Premier League.

"I can see myself playing at Chelsea or Manchester United in the near future, in the next five years to be honest.

"This season has been very poor. When I go home I can't sleep because I feel very bad about our position. We've lost players such as Hatem Ben Arfa and Mamadou Niang.

"Look at what Ben Arfa is doing at Newcastle."

Fabio eager to see Benfica deal done

Fabio da Silva hopes to complete a loan move to Benfica.

Fabio has confirmed his interest in joining Benfica on loan.

The 21-year-old said: "It would be very good for me. I will definitely know my future at the end of the season. I have not talked with anyone from Benfica, I am waiting for everything to be right."

Man Utd head-to-head with Real Madrid for Lucas

Manchester United are chasing Sao Paulo star Lucas.

United and Real Madrid are locked in battle to sign Brazilian wonderkid Lucas - the 19-year-old sensation who has already been capped 11 times by his country.

United are pulling out all the stops to entice the Sao Paulo attacking midfielder to Old Trafford and fends off the interests from the Spaniards.

They plan to invite Lucas' dad to the North West of England for talks and hope they can lure him to the Barclays Premier League for next season.

The English champions will have to shell out a figure in the region of £12million for the midfielder, according to reports in The Mirror.

Man Utd in talks with Guardiola about England move

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is wanted by Chelsea - and several other Premier League clubs.

El Mundo Deportivo says he has been visited by Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo with a view to taking over at Stamford Bridge in the summer.

Manchester City and Liverpool have also been linked with him, while Sir Alex Ferguson’s brother Martin, who regularly scouts in Spain, is said to have met the former midfielder with a view to eventually taking over at Manchester United.

Barcelona hope Guardiola will decide to stay, but have already begun to consider possible successors.

Ferguson confirms Hazard interest: He's very good

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed his interest in Lille star Eden Hazard.

In an interview with French radio station RMC Sport Ferguson said that he was impressed with the 21-year-old Belgian.

"I came to watch Lille play Lyon and followed Hazard of course, along with other players,” Ferguson said.

"He is a very good player who has many qualities. He is particularly fast over the first 10 yards."

Man Utd ponder shock move for Real Madrid's controversial Pepe

Manchester United are preparing a shock bid for Real Madrid's controversial defender Pepe.

Record says United are considering a €30 million offer for the Portugal international, who has courted on-field controversy over the last three seasons in Spain.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wants to add experience to his defensive stocks, with fitness concerns persisting over Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

Pepe has emerged as a potential candidate to solve Ferguson's dilemma.

Man Utd make Sigurdsson check

Hoffenheim have slapped a £10 million price-tag on Gylfi Sigurdsson.

The Daily Mail says Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton are all chasing Swansea loan star Sigurdsson - but parent club Hoffenheim will not let him leave on the cheap slapping a £10million on the midfielder.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, Everton coach Jimmy Lumsden and United spy Martin Ferguson all watched Sigurdsson dazzle against Bolton on Saturday.

Man Utd revive interest in Bolton tyro Mark Davies

Manchester United are reviving their interest in Bolton Wanderers midfielder Mark Davies.

United have been tracking Davies since he quit Wolves to join Bolton two years ago, with manager Sir Alex Ferguson posting Paul Scholes to make regular checks on him.

On the weekend, United chief scout Martin Ferguson was in the stands to see Davies in action against Swansea City.

Trotters boss Owen Coyle has likened Davies to Geordie legend Paul Gascoigne.

Owen stay unlikely at Man Utd

Michael Owen has three games left to rescue his Manchester United career.

The Manchester Evening News says even if Owen does manage to get involved in the games against Manchester City, Swansea and Sunderland between now and the end of the season, he is fighting a losing battle to secure a future at Old Trafford.

Since joining as a free agent from Newcastle in 2009, he has made only 18 starts as injury has curtailed his progress.

Although his finishing prowess remains – with 17 goals in all – it would represent a major gamble for Sir Alex Ferguson to offer him a fresh one-year extension.

Man Utd may confirm Pogba deal this week

Manchester United are confident Paul Pogba will sign his new contract.

The Manchester Evening News says United expect to make Paul Pogba their first major summer signing.

Sir Alex Ferguson believes he has finally fought off competition from Juventus to secure the highly-rated French starlet on a long-term deal.

Pogba is out of contract at the end of the season - sparking a scramble among Europe's biggest clubs for his signature.

Italian giants Juventus looked set to lure him to Serie A until Ferguson stepped in.

The United manager has convinced Pogba and his agent Mino Raiola that the 19-year-old will become a key figure for the Premier League champions.

A contract has been agreed in principal and United hope to announce a four-year deal as early as this week.

Man Utd told £30M for Athletic Bilbao whiz Muniain

Athletic Bilbao are demanding huge money for Manchester United target Iker Muniain.

The Mirror says Sir Alex Ferguson is one of a number of the Spanish international's admirers, but his agent has revealed Bilbao won't let one of their prized assets leave on the cheap.

"Athletic do not want to sell," said Jesus Medina.

"Whoever wants him must pay his buyout clause at €36million (£29.5million)."

Agent rejects Sporting talk for Man Utd's Fabio: Only Benfica

The agent of Manchester United fullback Fabio da Silva insists Benfica remain the clear option for him next season.

The has been talk of Sporting Lisbon taking Fabio on-loan.

But agent Cassiano Pereira told A Bola: "I do not know where this came from, but this is a surprise. We are only aware of the claimed interest and the hypothesis that appeals to Fabio, which is Benfica."

Man Utd keeping tabs on Pique's deteriorating situation at Barcelona

Sir Alex Ferguson is keeping tabs on Gerard Pique's situation at Barcelona.

The former United defender has fallen out with coach Pep Guardiola and has been dropped for games against Real Madrid and Chelsea in the past week.

Ferguson has always regarded Pique highly and admits he regrets having to sell the then youngster with his path to the first team blocked.

Now, with Rio Ferdinand entering his veteran years, Ferguson could move to bring Pique back to Old Trafford, where he still has many friends - including star striker Wayne Rooney.

Gaitan anxious to see Man Utd deal done

Benfica winger Nicolas Gaitan is becoming unsettled as he waits anxiously for a deal with Manchester United to be done.

Gaitan was benched by coach Jorge Jesus on the weekend for the clash with Maritimo as speculation swirled over the move.

Despite claims to the contrary, O Jogo says a deal is all but closed between Benfica and United over Gaitan's sale.

Asked about the midfielder's mental state, agent Jose Iribarren replied: "He's fine."

Alberto Massacci released by Manchester United

Italian defender Alberto Massacci has been released by Manchester United.

Massacci joined United in 2009 as a 16 year-old from Empoli, but has struggled with injury.

The right-back, 18, has now been shown the exit door at United.

Berbatov can be an asset for a top club, insists Fergie

Dimitar Berbatov will leave Manchester United during the summer with a ringing tribute from Sir Alex Ferguson. 

The 31-year-old Bulgaria striker, signed from Tottenham for £30million on transfer deadline day nearly four years ago, is unhappy because he cannot be guaranteed a first-team place at Old Trafford. 

Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and his former club, Bayer Leverkusen, are ready to fight for his signature, and Sir Alex said: 'Berba is a top, top player who has years left at the highest level.'

Memorable among his four Premier League hat-tricks, the last coming against Wigan on Boxing Day last year, was when he became the first non- Englishman to score five goals in a league match, in the 7-1 defeat of Blackburn in November 2010 - the season he shared the Golden Boot with Carlos Tevez. 

But the Bulgarian, since being left out of Sir Alex's squad for last year's European Cup final - which United lost 3-1 to Barcelona - has made only spasmodic first-team appearances, mainly off the bench. 

Ferguson has preferred the likes of Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez partnering Wayne Rooney. 

'The boss is very reluctant to lose a player of Berbatov's calibre - but he recognises he cannot offer him first-team football every week,' said a United source.