Manchester United join race to sign £27m-rated Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic

Manchester United are going head to head with noisy neighbours Manchester City in a £27million fight for Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic.

United boss David Moyes has turned to the Montenegro international after failing to convince Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski to move to Old Trafford.

It is bad news for City boss Manuel Pellegrini, who had thought the forward was in the bag.

Jovetic’s agent Fali Ramadani has been in London this week after the Italian side gave the go-ahead for talks with potential buyers.

Fiorentina this week signed Mario Gomez for £15m from Bayern Munich and Jovetic, 23, has a £27m release clause.

City have made it clear they are willing to meet that fee for the striker, who scored 13 Serie A goals last term and starred in a 1-1 draw with England in March.

But United are now ready to match City’s £120,000-a-week offer and think their stature gives them the edge.