Manchester United targets £20m-rated Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin

Manchester United have turned their attentions to Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin after growing increasingly frustrated in their pursuit of Lucas Moura.

Old Trafford outfit are looking at alternative options to the Sao Paulo youngster, who has been valued at close to £30 million by his club, and have highlighted Sahin as a potentially cheaper target after being made aware of his availability from the Spanish capital.

The Turkey international is surplus to requirements at the Santiago Bernabeu after joining the club from Borussia Dortmund last summer in a move that has so far been blighted by injuries and inconsistent form.


Jose Mourinho is keen to offer Sahin a full pre-season in order to impress at the Liga giants, but Madrid would be open to considering an offer.

Bayern Munich and Galatasaray have been linked with Sahin in recent weeks, while Tottenham made enquiries over bringing him to White Hart Lane as part of Luka Modric's expected move to the Spanish champions, but were rebuffed by the 23-year-old.

The midfielder made clear his intention to stay with the Spanish giants in May, claiming: "I have the desire to succeed here and want to prove my worth at Madrid. I'm living the dream at this club."

However, with the likely arrival of Modric set to push Sahin further down Mourinho's midfield pecking order, United's ability to offer him greater first-team opportunities could see the Turkish star reconsider his options.

Any deal to sign Sahin would cost around £20m, but the Premier League runners-up have not ruled out taking the playmaker on a season-long loan deal to keep within their limited summer transfer budget.