ALEX FERGUSON is preparing to make a £20million raid for Real Madrid striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar.

The Manchester United boss had his eye on the Dutchman before he joined the La Liga side from Ajax in January.

But Huntelaar, 25, has struggled to make an impact after scoring 113 goals in 136 games in Holland.

He failed to make Real's Champions League squad.

And he has fallen further down the pecking order following the arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema.

Now Fergie, who had the player scouted all last year, is ready to make a new bid to land him after losing out on Benzema.

United will have to match the £20m Madrid paid for the hitman.

An Old Trafford source said: "Huntelaar is somebody we have known about for a good while. There was more than a passing interest last time out."

after receiving nearly 90 million for ronaldo, why is fergie only buying young 16 yr olds, i know we got valencia a good talent & owen but we lost benzema and ribery also looks to be going to madrid and we really need to strengthen the squad for next season after losing two of our most influential players

United have asked about Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure amid growing concern over the fitness of Owen Hargreaves.

England midfielder Hargreaves has been restricted to just 25 appearances since joining United from Bayern Munich for £17m two years ago, and there are worries over his future after two major knee operations last season.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists Hargreaves will be back before the end of the year but has asked about Toure, who could be allowed to leave Barcelona if Liverpool's Javier Mascherano is signed to perform the holding role.

With the additions of Valencia and Owen,how many more players would we be happy with before the season starts?
I would be happy with another striker and a left sided midfielder?
So thats two for me?

UNITED winger Nani wants boss Sir Alex Ferguson to give him assurances over his future - but he may not get them.

The Portuguese international, 22, is concerned about speculation he could be surplus to requirements.

And he will sit down with Fergie during preseason training to find out exactly where he stands.

A United source said: "Nani believes his chance has come following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, but the rumours just won't go away and he is looking for answers."

Nani has struggled to live up to expectations since his £14million move from Sporting Lisbon two seasons ago.

Spanish clubs Atletico Madrid and Villarreal have both been linked with moves for the player.

ManUtdPeople understands Sir Alex still thinks Nani will come good but will not stand in his way if he is unhappy.

He could even prove a valuable makeweight as the United boss pursues further attacking options.

The £18m arrival of winger Antonio Valencia from Wigan will have done little to ease Nani's fears.