Baraja would consider United move

Valencia’s highly-rated midfielder Ruben Baraja would consider a big-money offer from Manchester United.

Old Trafford boss Alex Ferguson is thought to have expressed an interest in the 27-year-old Spanish international, who has also attracted the attention of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Baraja only recently signed an extension to his current contract, which ties him to Valencia until 2008.

However, United are one of the few clubs in Europe with enough cash available to force Valencia into a deal, although Ferguson would be reluctant to match the estimated £18m (€25m) price-tag which has been placed on Baraja’s head.

“There are rumours regarding interest from Manchester United in Baraja but no-one has officially contacted us,” admitted the player’s representative Manuel Garcia Quilon.

“His contract is not due to expire for another five years but he is a very ambitious player and if there was an interesting offer that is good for his sporting career and for the club, he would consider it.”

A forceful player in the Roy Keane mould, Baraja’s arrival would offer Ferguson the alternative of dropping his inspirational skipper into a central defensive position, providing the cunning the United boss felt was missing from his side’s Champions League challenge this season.

Ferguson already knows he will be without Wes Brown at least until Christmas as the England defender struggles to recover from the second cruciate knee ligament injury of his career and has also lost Laurent Blanc and David May from his first-team squad.

A move for Baraja is possible, particularly if Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldinho opts for a move to Spain should he confirm expectations and quit Paris St Germain this summer.

Ferguson has confirmed he has “ideas” over who to bring to Old Trafford during the close season, although, as usual, he has refused to publicly declare his hand.

With Brown ruled out for almost half the season already and Laurent Blanc and David May both leaving this summer, defensive reinforcements are almost certain as Ferguson continues the quest to land United’s third European Cup.

“We are only talking about small details and we are not too far away but as a club we have only won the European Cup twice and we have to do better than that,” he said.

“There won’t be massive dealings this summer, maybe just two or three, but we have our ideas and hopefully we will pursue them.

“The key is to strengthen when you are strong.”