Report: United eye French teen Zouma
Manchester United are considering a swoop for Saint-Etienne's Kurt Zouma.
By ESPNSTAR.com staff
The 18-year old is rated as one of the best defensive prospects in Ligue 1 and the player's progress has been monitored closely by Manchester United. The Premier League side were poised to make an offer last summer, but Zouma's parents wished for him to remain in France for one more season.
The Independent reports that Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson has now revived his interest in the central defender after sending his brother and the club's chief scout Martin to catch Zouma in action against Lille last week.
Saint-Etienne have been alerted to United's interest and moved to offer the central defender a new contract, although sources from within the club indicate that it was a simply a move to force a larger bid from the Red Devils, with the French side seeking an offer in excess of 10 million pounds.
Ferguson is believed to be keen to increase the team's defensive options, given the uncertainty surrounding Rio Ferdinand's future and Nemanja Vidic's recent spell of injuries. Besides Zouma, Benfica's Ezequiel Garay is also being considered, as the player's current employers are struggling to meet his wage demands.