United in for Asamoah

Manchester United are being linked with a strong interest in Udinese's Ghana international midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah.

Asamoah, 23, has been a consistent force in the Udinese engine room this season, scoring three goals in 30 Serie A starts and picking up only three bookings. He would have been an ever-present but for the Africa Cup on Nations and looks set to help Udinese qualify for the Champions League play-off round again with third place in their grasp going into the final match of the season next weekend. Asamoah has been linked with Italian quartet Napoli, Milan, Juventus and Inter over the past few months but, according to Tuttomercatoweb, United are now firmly in the running. Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to strengthen his midfield corps this summer and with Udinese rating Asamoah in the £8million bracket, the Reds boss may have found some 'value' in the transfer market. Ferguson's brother Martin, the club's European scout, watched Udinese extensively at the end of last season and at the start of this campaign - but was thought to be tracking Moroccan defender Mehdi Benatia.