UNITED BACK IN FOR SAHA

Manchester United are to make a second attempt to prise Louis Saha away from Fulham, having been encouraged that the player is still keen to move to Old Trafford.

United failed with a £5.5m bid before Christmas and Fulham have made it clear they do not want to sell the French forward, particularly in the middle of the season when it would be more difficult to find a replacement.

The London club have repelled United's advances so aggressively the Premiership leaders are not as optimistic as they once were about successfully concluding the transfer, but they are still willing to give it a go.

Uppermost in their minds is the fact Saha and his advisers have not joined the Fulham hierarchy in rejecting the move out of hand.

On the contrary, Saha has called it his "dream move," although for it to happen United will have to increase their offer significantly. Fulham are under no financial pressure to sell and it might need a bid closer to £10m for them to reconsider. Even then, there is no guarantee that the transfer will be completed.

It is clear, though, that Saha remains Sir Alex Ferguson's leading target. Even though Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be back from a knee injury in the next three weeks, the United manager is acutely aware he needs another striker in case Ruud van Nistelrooy is injured.

The Indie claims:

Manchester United have been told that it will cost £15m to sign the French striker Louis Saha from Fulham - more than twice what they are prepared to pay.

United are understood to be ready to pay £7m but are unwilling to go any higher for a player who would realistically be the Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy's understudy.