By Jeremy Cross
SIR ALEX FERGUSON is set to renew his interest in Luka Modric in the hope of luring him to Manchester United.
Fergie has remained a huge fan of Modric and believes Tottenham’s failure to reach the Champions League next season could boost his chances of landing the Croatia star.
Modric is seen as the man to add creativity and goals to the United midfield as Fergie’s men look to win back the Premier League title from Manchester City.
But Fergie faces a tough battle to land the playmaker as Spurs look to hang on to one of their prize assets.
Modric, 26, penned a new long-term deal at White Hart Lane before the start of last season and is valued in the £40m bracket.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will not be prepared to sell his star on the cheap and will dig his heels in should Fergie come calling.
United will not offer more than £30m, though, and Fergie will be hoping the midfielder can force Spurs’ hand by telling them he wants to go to Old Trafford.
United, meanwhile, are closing in on a £4m deal for Crewe teenager Nick Powell, as revealed in this week’s Starsport.
The two clubs have opened talks and agreed a fee for the highly-rated teenager, who helped Crewe win promotion to League One last weekend.
The deal, rising to £6m depending on appearances and future England caps, could be confirmed before the end of this week if Powell agrees personal terms.
Crewe chairman John Bowler said: “There is a time when it is right for players to move on and Nick is at the front of that queue.
“We need to gauge what is right for us in terms of value and what is right for the player. We have a lot of investment in the lad.
“For him to go on and play Premier League football says a lot about our academy and Crewe Alexandra.”
Fergie has monitored Powell’s progress all season and watched him in action against Aldershot at the start of this month.
United’s chief scout Martin Ferguson also travelled to watch Powell star in Crewe’s play-off final win at Wembley last weekend.
Meanwhile, veteran Paul Scholes has signed a new 12-month deal at Old Trafford.
The midfielder, 37, has agreed to continue for one more season after talks with Fergie and has put pen to paper on a contract that will keep him at United until 2013.
Scholes stunned his team-mates and fans when he came out of retirement midway through last season after admitting he missed the game too much.
Goalkeeper Ben Amos has also agreed a new three-year deal with United.
