Philipp Lahm Said To Be In Man Utd's Sights

[M|ch]

Manchester United could launch a bid for Bayern Munich full-back Philipp Lahm next month on the back of record profits for the club.


Although Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has previously stated that the January transfer window is not a good time to buy, The Times is saying that, with United set to announce record profits next month, he will ask the Glazer family who own the club to buy Philipp Lahm.
The newspaper claims that Ferguson sees the versatile defender as a key reinforcement to boost his team's bid to retain the Premier League title this season.
One stumbling block - assuming the Glazers are prepared to stump up the cash - could be strained relations between United and Lahm's club Bayern Munich.
The Bavarian giants became irritated by the long drawn out targeting and snaring of midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who left Bayern for Manchester in the summer.
However, 24-year-old Lahm is said to be highly-regarded by Ferguson, not least because he is comfortable playing on either flank. He could therefore provide cover for Patrice Evra on the left while settling in as the eventual succesor to Gary Neville on the right.
Wes Brown, currently filling in for the injured Nevile at right-back, may not be at Old Trafford gor much longer after failing to agree a new contract.
There were reports in France on Monday that Bayern's other full-back, Willy Sagnol, was United's main target, but The Times insists it's Lahm who interests Ferguson.
They also suggest that Branislav Ivanovic of Lokomotiv Moscow is on Ferguson's radar.
United will be in a position to finance transfer spending if they so wish. They are preparing to announce record turnover for the financial year ending June 30th. Chief executive David Gill predicted this year that United would achieve “dramatic growth,” and the club are expected to announce record revenue of more than £200 million and profits of at least £60 million.
The Glazers are reaping substantial increases in the club’s match-day and commercial revenue.
United are moving towards an ambitious profits target of £108.9 million by 2011.
Mark Hinton, Goal.com