Manchester United are reportedly set to make a bid for Everton youngster Jack Rodwell.
Sir Alex Ferguson will step up his interest in Rodwell by making a £20 million bid for the defender in January.
The Manchester United boss is a long-term admirer of the England under-21 international, taking note since he broke into the Everton first team last season and surprised everyone with his cool head and solid performances.
However, their bid could be hijacked by Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti.
The Blues boss is likely to spend heavily in January – with the threat of a FIFA transfer ban still hanging over Stamford Bridge. Ferguson could be forced to move sooner than he would have liked.
Sir Alex Ferguson has suggested he may spend in January, providing the market is not as inflated as it was last summer.
The United manager stated: “I would like to do business, but only if the prices are right and that can be a problem in January,” he told The Mail on Sunday.
Any move by Fergie for Rodwell would be hugely controversial, given the problems that surrounded Wayne Rooney’s switch from Everton to United in 2004
Everton know they are in a strong position with the 18-year-old having signed a new five-year contract in February - but they will find it difficult to reject any offer in the region of £20 million.
