Ferguson targets Juve's Vieira

Manchester United are set to offer Juventus £8 million for ex-Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira.

Sir Alex Ferguson is confident of landing the Frenchman after Juve were relegated to Serie B for their part in the Italian match-fixing scandal, according to the Daily Mirror.

Reports in Italy have described discussions between the clubs as "very much a live situation".

Vieira, who starred as France reached the World Cup final, is understood to be keen on a move to Old Trafford and still has a house in London from his time at Arsenal.

Despite previous comments that he had "been down that road too many times before", a reference to failed bids in the past for Vieira, Ferguson believes Vieira can still cut it in the Premiership after his impressive performances for France at the World Cup.

United face competition from Inter Milan, Roma and Valencia.