United step up Nani chase
30 May 2007 - 16:36:41
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has set his sights on making Sporting Lisbon winger Nani his second signing of the close season.
Ferguson has already agreed to sign Owen Hargreaves in a £17million transfer from Bayern Munich.
The England midfielder is set to put pen to paper on a four-year contract at Old Trafford before the end of the week.
Meanwhile, Ferguson has earmarked Nani as the ideal long-term replacement for veteran winger Ryan Giggs.
The 20-year-old has rejected the chance to sign a contract extension with the Portuguese club and recently admitted he wanted to move to the Premier League.
United chief executive David Gill and assistant manager Carlos Queiroz have reportedly flown to Lisbon for talks over a possible move.
"Sporting know my opinion about this subject. If an offer arrives which offers a good opportunity then I want to talk about it," Nani revealed earlier in the week.
"Going to England is one of my options because the Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world and it will be a big challenge.
"But I have not spoken or made up my mind about any one club. I am prepared to go to England because I believe I would progress there."
United paid Sporting £12.25million to land Cristiano Ronaldo four years ago after several players were impressed by the tricky winger during a pre-season friendly.