Manchester United are poised to make a £16million swoop for Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano after missing out on Karim Benzema.
Benzema’s £32m move to Real Madrid meant United chief Sir Alex Ferguson had to rethink his targets to replace outgoing Carlos Tevez.
And Sevilla hitman Fabiano, top scorer with five goals in Brazil’s Confederations Cup triumph last month, is the new name in the frame – although United will have to see off AC Milan to land him.
The San Siro side have made an opening £13m bid even though his release clause values the 28-year-old at £55m.
Milan believe Fabiano, who has scored 47 goals in 105 games for Sevilla since joining them from Porto in 2005, is ready to leave Spain for a new challenge.
But United, with £64m still in the bank after recruiting Wigan’s Antonio Valencia to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, have the financial firepower to outbid the Italian giants.