Frey claims United interest

French goalkeeper Sebastian Frey claims he is on Manchester United’s shopping list and that preliminary talks between his representative and Old Trafford officials have already taken place.

The Parma player, 24, has established a reputation as one of Serie A’s finest goalkeepers and has been a near ever-present over the past three seasons.

Although he has yet to make his international debut, and can not currently break into the France squad where former United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez is the undisputed number one, Frey has many admirers.

He contends that United are among the clubs wanting to prise him away from Parma who experienced severe financial problems last season and were forced into offloading a host of star players, including Brazilian striker Adriano and Japanese midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata, to raise funds.

Frey told the News of the World: “I know United are following my progress and my agent, Giovanni Branchini, recently met their directors.

“Inter Milan also want me and I have reached an agreement with Parma that they will not complicate things if I get a good offer.”

United boss Alex Ferguson has international goalkeepers in his squad already, with American Tim Howard and Northern Ireland’s Roy Carroll the men contesting the first-team place.

Carroll is currently in possession, with Howard forced to bide his time and wait for a chance, having lost his place earlier this season.