Competing with Manchester United

Manchester United are weighing up a €18 million swoop for Valencia left-back Jordi Alba, Goal.com UK has learned.

The Premier League champions are scouting a long-term replacement for Patrice Evra even though there is no suggestion that they could be ready to listen to offers for the Frenchman.

Alba has come to the attention of United since establishing himself in Valencia's first team and becoming a full Spain international last September.

Goal.com understands that Sir Alex Ferguson has instructed his scouts to take a closer look at Alba after initial reports on the 23-year-old earlier this year were said to be extremely encouraging.

Rivals Manchester City are also closely monitoring the defender and their scouts paid particular attention to him during the January window.

However, as revealed by Goal.com earlier this month, it is believed that City’s top left-back target to replace Aleksandar Kolarov is Lille teenager Lucas Digne, who could be available for €8.5m this summer.

Alba was released by Barcelona aged 16 but has flourished at Valencia, who are third in Spain’s Primera Liga.

Goal.com

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