Manchester United are stepping up their interest in Roma forward Eric Lamela with a massive bid being prepared to test the Italian team's resolve in holding onto their prime asset.
United missed out on the signing of Lamela in the summer of 2011, with the 20-year-old choosing to join Roma from River Plate following the Argentine side's relegation.
The 20-year-old took some time to get settled in to the Italian game, but has been pretty impressive this season, highlighted by a brace against AC Milan in a 4-2 victory.
His performances have not gone unnoticed and the likes of Manchester City have been linked with a move in the recent past, while United were thought to be interested in making a January swoop for the Argentine starlet.
However, Roma have so far stood firm over Lamela and have refused to let go of the talented youngster on the cheap.
Sir Alex Ferguson is still extremely keen on bringing Lamela to Old Trafford and is readying a €35 million (£30 million, $45 million) bid to tempt Roma to sell, according to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport.
United already have an abundance of talent on the attacking front, but with the future of Nani, who has been linked with a move to Roma in the past, in doubt, there might be some room to bring in the forward to Old Trafford.
However, if Ferguson were to press ahead with a move for Lamela, it will throw into doubt the proposed move for Porto winger Cristian Rodriguez, who was watched by United scouts over the weekend, with the Colombian also expected to cost a similar fee.
Meanwhile, Javier Hernadez's agent Eduardo Hernandez has played down the rumors of an impending move to Real Madrid.
Widespread reports have suggested the Mexican international could move to the Bernabeu with his chances with United limited after the arrival of Robin Van Persie, while a possible summer move for Robert Lewandowski might push him further down the pecking order.
However, Eduardo said his client is just concentrating on the rest of the season and is not concerned about the reports linking him to Real.
"Javier is focused on United's season, we're both ignoring the rumors," he told ESPN Radio in Mexico.
"It's true that in Manchester there is a lot of competition, but the boy was able to maintain good performances.
"For this reason I don't believe it is the right time to leave."
