Manchester United are still monitoring the situation surrounding Mats Hummels and could be ready to make a summer move as they try to beat out competition from the likes of Barcelona, Manchester City and Arsenal.
Ferguson has made the signing of a center half one of his priorities this season, with the future of Rio Ferdinand still undecided and Nemanja Vidic's long-term injury problems a worry.
Reports last week suggested United had already clinched the signing of Ezequiel Garay from Benfica for a fee of €20 million (£17 million, $26 million).
However, there has not been any confirmation from either side, as expected, and if indeed the Garay move has been put on hold, Ferguson could go for Borussia Dortmund defender Hummels, who is also a prime target for Barcelona.
Hummels' father said he was not aware of any contact from Barcelona, and with it opening the door for the likes of United and City to swoop in at the end of the season.
"I don't have any contact with FC Barcelona," he told the Bild. "I heard the rumors as well, usually there is something true about them.
"Every ambitious quality footballer always has some of the top European clubs in mind that he can imagine himself playing for."
United seem to have an affinity towards Dortmund players, having already brought in the excellent Shinji Kagawa from the German club last summer, while the Red Devils continue to be heavily linked with a move for Robert Lewandowski. Mario Gotze has also come out and said he would be open to a move to Old Trafford.
Dortmund might be forced to sell Lewandowski in the summer, after the Polish international said he would not be signing a new deal with the German champions.
Lewandowski's current deal expires in 2014, and along with United, Bayern Munich are also hot on the trail of the 24-year-old, who has again shown good form in the Bundesliga.
Hummels, though, will be a much more difficult purchase as the former Bayern Munich man only recently signed a new long-term deal and Dortmund are unlikely to want to sell their prized asset, unless of course they receive an offer they cannot refuse.
