Manchester United fans have been eager for Sir Alex Ferguson to sign us a striker for some time. Since Ruud van Nistelrooy left in the summer of 2006, United have been lacking a consistent out and out striker. Louis Saha stepped up to the plate at the close of the 2005-2006 season and continued this form in to the following season. After spending large stints out injured prior to this, we were becoming used to having Saha in the starting lineup.

However, after scoring for United in the FA Cup 5th Round replay against Reading, Saha picked up yet another injury, which he is still yet to have fully recovered from. He started his first game since the injury against Bolton in December, looking a mile off the pace. He’s scored five goals this season, including our winning goal against Sunderland in September and a penalty against Chelsea. Still, most reds can’t see his future at United going beyond the end of this season, with Lyon’s Benzema being a favourite to replace him. However, a new target has emerged today and has been priced at £19 million.

The Italian side, Palermo, have recently turned down a £22 million offer from an unnamed Spanish club for forward Amauri. The player has been linked with a host of clubs, including United, Inter Milan and AC Milan. The 27 year old Brazilian has managed to creep under the radar for some time, but has had a successful stint in Serie A since moving to Palermo in 2006, scoring 15 goals in 34 games.

Earlier this month, Amauri urged Sir Alex Ferguson to come and watch him play. “Milan, Barcelona, Juventus, and now Chelsea, we’ll see, oh and there’s even Real Madrid, I forgot about them,” he said. “Manchester United? Now we’ll talk a little with Ferguson, why doesn’t he come to see Palermo play and then may be even they might enter the race for me.”

The Palmero president Maurizio Zamparini has today conceded that the Brazilian is on his way out, but the price has to be right. “A Spanish side offered 22million euros, but I refused,” he said. “For less than 25million euros we will do nothing, but I think an agreement could be close.”

Are you interested in Amauri?