UNITED INTERESTED IN BARCELONA'S ALBA

Manchester United are preparing a bid for Barcelona and Spain left-back Jordi Alba, following concern over the Spaniard's contract at Barca.

Barcelona want Alba to pun pen to paper on a new deal in Catalonia during the second half of the season, but his agents want negotiations done earlier.

Barca know of Alba's agent's wishes, but they are unwilling to change their stance over the World Cup winner.

There's 21 months left on his current deal and United are now on alert, with Mundo Deportivo reporting they're very eager to bring him in.

But the rumours at the moment are that both Barca and Alba want each other but are at different stages of their respected negotiations.