Man Utd monitoring Pique blow-up at Barcelona

 Manchester United are monitoring Gerard Pique's blow-up at Barcelona this week.

Pique was dropped by Barca coach Pep Guardiola for victory at Champions League opponents Bayer Leverkusen, with both the Catalan and Madrid press agreeing it was for "technical reasons".

The former United defender was blamed for defeat at Osasuna and it emerged yesterday that his advisers have been urged by Barca to speak with Pique about his behaviour.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits he never wanted to lose Pique and remains a big fan of the centre-half. With concerns over the fitness of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, a new centre-half is on the agenda this summer for Ferguson and the prospect of bringing back Pique will be explored.

The defender also keeps in touch with several of his former United teammates, including Wayne Rooney, who would love to see Pique back at Old Trafford.

Ajax fullback Boilesen: I turned down Man Utd

Ajax fullback Nicolai Boilesen admits he could've signed for Manchester United as a junior.

The young Dane is expected to start in tonight's Europa League clash.

"Together with Ajax, United are my favorite club, so I think this is very nice," said Boilesen.

"When I was sixteen I went there for a trial and I thought it was just a really nice club. I could've stayed, but I chose to come here. I know this was the right decision for me."

Man Utd eyeing Tigres forward Alan Pulido

Manchester United are planning another raid on the Mexican transfer market.

United are trailing 20-year-old Tigres forward Alan Pulido, who could be available for as little as £4 million, says the Daily Mail.

Pulido is tipped to star at the next World Cup in Brazil in 2014 after impressing for Mexico's Under 20 side.

Javier Hernandez has been a hit at Old Trafford since signing in 2010 and is believed to have discussed his compatriot with Ferguson.

Pulido is considered to be fast, a good dribbler and strong in the air - qualities that some observers feel make him a better prospect than Hernandez.

Man Utd linked with want-away Fiorentina wing-back Vargas

Manchester United are being linked with Fiorentina wing-back Juan Manuel Vargas.

Vargas is poised to leave Fiorentina this month, according to Calcioline.it, and Old Trafford is forwarded as a possible destination.

The Reds will offer €10million (£8.35million) for the Peru international. Nicknamed 'El Loco', Vargas is a versatile left-sided player.

Manchester United leading race to sign £3m Crystal Palace starlet Nathaniel Clyne

Manchester United are increasingly confident they will win the race for Crystal Palace starlet Nathaniel Clyne and could be ready to make a £3 million bid this month

The England under-21 international is out of contract at the end of the season and Palace have been unable to tie him down to a long-term deal amid interest from a host of clubs including Newcastle, Fulham and Everton.

Goal.com understands United have jumped to the front of the queue and could seal a move for the 20-year-old this month to secure one of the brightest emerging talents in English football.

United are one of a number of clubs considering an official bid before Palace play the second leg of their League Cup semi-final against Cardiff City next week - but they believe the player already has his heart set on a move to Old Trafford.

Palace chairman Steve Parish admitted this week that the Londoners are resigned to losing Clyne and suggested the player’s agent has already made contact with Premier League clubs.

"Nathaniel won't sign a new contract,” Parish told the London Evening Standard. “I have offered him a very lucrative one and I can't force him to accept it. 

"His agent has got Nathaniel running his contract down - make your own mind up about what's happening."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is believed to have been impressed by Clyne’s display in Palace’s shock win at Old Trafford in the League Cup quarter-final in November. Injuries to Rafael have meant that Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have had to fill in at right-back, and Clyne is seen as a long-term option to compete for the position.

If Clyne leaves Selhurst Park in the summer, the Eagles will be set to receive a compensation package as the player is under 24 and has come up through the club’s youth system. Rather than risk letting the fee be decided by tribunal in the summer, Palace will be tempted to cash-in this month on an offer in the region of £3m for the Academy product.

Clyne has already made 121 appearances for Palace and was voted as the club’s player of the year for 2011, while he has played a key role this season as Dougie Freedman’s side eye a place in the Championship play-offs.

Man Utd keeping tabs on Benfica keeper Artur

Manchester United are being linked with Benfica goalkeeper Artur.

O Jogo says United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is an admirer of Benfica shot-stopper Artur.

The free transfer from Sporting Braga has been impressive this season and the report hints the manager has expressed his admiration of the 30-year-old at behind-the-scenes meetings.

Man Utd watching Saint-Etienne defender Kurt Zouma

Manchester United are watching Saint-Etienne defender Kurt Zouma.

Sport 10 says the 17 year-old is being tracked by United this season.

The 17-year-old centre-back has forced his way into the first team and scored against Sochaux on Saturday. The France Under-17 international is under contract until 2014.

Man Utd watching Atletico Madrid whizkid Javi Manquillo

Manchester United are eyeing Atletico Madrid whizkid Javi Manquillo.

The talented right-back has attracted the attention of United scouts while playing in the Juvenil A competition this season, says Cadena Ser.

Manquillo is only 17, but already a member of Spain's U19 squad.

Man Utd face Juventus battle for FC Basel star Granit Xhaka

Manchester United and Juventus are battling for FC Basel midfielder Granit Xhaka.

Italian media sources say United and Juve are going head-to-head for the exciting Swiss talent.

Juventus scouts have been keeping tabs on Xhaka, who has made 10 first-team appearances in the Swiss Super League this season, and are now ready to bid.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is also keen on the midfielder's Basel and Switzerland team-mate Xherdan Shaqiri but could be tempted to bid for Xhaka given the strong interest from Serie A.

Man Utd prepared to wait until final market days for Chelsea's Lampard

Manchester United are serious about landing Chelsea icon Frank Lampard.

The Daily Star says United re prepared to sit tight until the end of January in their pursuit of the Chelsea star.

Bosses at Stamford Bridge would be willing to talk to their Premier League rivals if they were to make a bid in excess of £7m.

The interest in Lampard is very real, and with the player seemingly at odds with Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas, United will wait to see if that relationship deteriorates further in the next fortnight.

Usually the thought of selling to a direct rival in the race for the title would mean such a deal would be a non-starter.

But Chelsea privately concede they are now long outsiders in the race for top spot this season and Villas-Boas has already started to look towards planning for next season.

Man Utd ponder meeting buyout clause of Olympiakos defender Vasilis Torosidis

Manchester United are eyeing Olympiakos defender Vasilis Torosidis.

The Greece defender has been on United’s radar for 18 months and their need for a versatile player at the back has become more pressing with a spate of injuries, says the Daily Mail.

United scouts watched him play in a 0-0 draw with Doxa Drama on Sunday night and will make a decision over the next few days whether to follow up with a bid.

Torosidis, who scored Greece’s first goal at a World Cup finals in 2010, has a buy-out clause set at £6million but the Greeks’ need for cash could reduce that.

FC Basle midfielder Granit Xhaka interesting Man Utd

Basle midfielder Granit Xhaka is interesting Manchester United.

The People says the 19-year-old has risen to prominence this season for both club and country.

Xhaka’s contract with Basle runs until June 2014, with an escape clause of £3.5million.

Bayern Munich and AC Milan are also showing an interest, but Basle will not take any decision on his future until the summer.

Man Utd face Barcelona competition for PSV fullback Jetro Willems

Manchester United face competition from Barcelona for PSV Eindhoven fullback Jetro Willems.

The teenage defender is viewed by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson as the ' new Gary Neville'.

However, Catalunya Radio says Barca are also watching his performances this season and see him as a successor for veteran defender Eric Abidal.

Man Utd in for Santos superkid Victor Andrade

The Premier League's biggest clubs are watching Santos starlet Victor Andrade.

Andrade, 16, has just signed pro terms with Santos and is seen in Brazil as Neymar's replacement once he leaves for Europe.

Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool have all sounded out Andrade's representatives about his intentions and his short-term plans.

Andrade had six months at Benfica as an eleven year-old and his new pro deal carries a €50 million buyout clause so highly-rated he is at Santos.

Injury-hit Man Utd target Real Madrid defender Raul Albiol

Manchester United are eyeing Real Madrid defender Raul Albiol.

The highly-rated Spain international has been limited to a bit-part role at Real since coach Jose Mourinho's arrival.

United have NO fit central defenders going into the festive programme and manager Sir Alex Ferguson is considering a move for Albiol.

Ferguson has long admired the stopper since his days with Valencia.

Man Utd may pull back from January bid for Newcastle's Tiote

Manchester United may hold back from bidding for Newcastle United midfielder Cheik Tiote next month.

The Mirror says United head the queue for Tiote, but could hold fire until the summer for the in-form Newcastle star.

Tiote, 25, joined the Toon from FC Twente for £3.5million in August 2010, and the Ivory Coast ace penned a new six-and-a-half-year contract in February.

But his defensive midfield­ displays have been noted by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who has lost midfielders Tom Cleverley and Anderson to injuries and Darren Fletcher to an illness-related leave of absence.

Independiente attacker Patricio Rodriguez on Man Utd radar

Independiente attacker Patricio Rodriguez is being followed by Manchester United.

Rodriguez is being tracked by United ahead of the January market.

Independiente will demand around £10m for Rodriguez and that fee appeals to United, although the Argentine club will hope news of interest from elsewhere will start an auction.

Palace fullback Clyne welcomes Man Utd interest

Crystal Palace fullback Nathaniel Clyne has welcomed interest from Manchester United.

Clyne, off contract in June, is being watched by United, among several top-flight clubs.

He told Sky Sports HD1: "I am delighted. It shows I am getting credited for my good performances.

"I have just got to focus on my game and keep working hard. And whatever happens, happens."

Super-agent Jorge Mendes behind Gaitan's move to Old Trafford

Trusted mediator Jorge Mendes is the man behind Nicolas Gaitan's informal agreement to join Manchester United next summer. 

Mendes has worked closely with United on a number of high-profile appointments at the club. 

He was involved in the deals to bring Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Anderson, David de Gea and Bebe to Old Trafford in the past.

And now it has emerged Benfica and the Barclays Premier League champions have agreed an initial £29.3million deal to bring the Argentiian midfielder to Manchester.  

The major stumbling block over the price arose after Gaitan had a £38m release clause written into his contract in October. 

The Portuguese club are obliged to pay the 23-year-old's former club Boca Juniors 20 per cent of any sell-on fee and there is also a requirement to pay 15 per cent into the Benfica Star Fund. 

Gaitan is effectively part-owned by his current club and this is a mandatory fee paid to raise money for the club. 

Mendes has charted a course through these problems and looks set to have secured another high-profile signing for United boss Sir Alex Ferguson. 

Man Utd, Arsenal watching Barcelona contract talks with Isaac Cuenca

Manchester United and Arsenal are keeping tabs on Isaac Cuenca's new contract talks with Barcelona.

Cuenca is off contract in June and unhappy with Barca's opening offer over a new deal.

The attacker, who can play as a striker and on the flank, has been a revelation for Barca this season - his first with the senior team.

Cadena Ser says United and Arsenal are monitoring Cuenca's form and asked to be kept up-to-speed on his new contract negotiations.