The Mirror: United are also ready to swoop for Brazilian World Cup skipper Cafu - although the Old Trafford club won't be doing business with Roma until the summer and face stiff competition from Arsenal.
United and Arsenal have offered the full-back a two-year deal worth a basic £3m with the option to sign for a further season. Now Cafu must decide.
The Observer report that we ‘head the race for Argentina star Claudio Lopez: Lopez has contacted Juan Sebastian Veron and is keen on the switch - Fergie will negotiate a price based on the £12m Lazio still owe for Jaap Stam.’
The Screws say that we 'battling' Boro for his signature. They reckon he is available for £5 mil.
Bobby Robson on Stam:
"The situation with Stam is complicated. Manchester United are owed something like £12 million. If that is what Lazio want, then forget about Jaap Stam.
"We won't spend £12 million on Stam, not at 30 years old. The market has come down again so the days of spending big money of a player of that age will not happen again.
"Top quality centre halves will now cost you £6 million. It's a buyers' market. A lot of clubs haven't got the money."
"I loved Stam at Manchester United. In his prime, he was fantastic. I've not spoken to Alex about him but I would ring him before I would buy Stam.
"Alex would give me a proper indication about Stam - whether he's finished or slowed down or whether they let him go for reasons other than his playing ability.
"I was amazed when they let him go. He was tough, he defended the box and he scared people."