NEMANJA VIDIC AND EVRA

Last updated : 16 December 2005 By Ed

The Guardian:

Manchester United have opened formal talks with Spartak Moscow for their Serbia & Montenegro international defender Nemanja Vidic with a view to bringing him to Old Trafford either in the next month's transfer window or at the end of the season.

The approach was confirmed last night by the Spartak president Sergey Sharlo, who said that he had quoted a fee of around £11m. United value him at much less and a deal could hinge on whether the two clubs can reach a compromise.

The Mirror:

Sir Alex Ferguson will make a £5million bid for Monaco defender Patrice Evra during the transfer window as he starts running repairs at Manchester United.

Ferguson is desperate to sign a new left-back over fears surrounding Gabriel Heinze.

The Argentine may not play again this term because of damaged cruciate ligaments.

Frenchman Evra, 24, is top of Ferguson's hitlist and he has been tracking the pacy international ever since he helped Monaco reach the Champions League Final in 2004.