Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson admitted today he wanted to sign Italy defender Alesandro Nesta after the World Cup - a move that could cost the English giants between stg£25-30m.
But Ferguson's powers of persuasion will doubtless convince the United board, if not the 26-year-old Nesta, to bid for the Lazio star.
"Nesta's in the World Cup but hopefully we'll get something done before the start of the season," Ferguson told the Manchester Evening News.
"We are not over-confident but we are going to work hard at it."
"It is difficult to sign players with the World Cup on, we knew that before we started," admitted Ferguson, keen to reinforce his defence after poor displays at the back saw United finish runners-up to English champions Arsenal.
And the Scot added that Nesta was not the only signing he was contemplating. "We are interested in two or three players," he added without saying who the others were.
United managing director David Gill said the board was ready to provide the funds Freguson required.
"Our job on the business side of the club is to ensure that we continue to grow the revenues and the profits," he said.
"Through that we can make sure we invest in the players that the manager wants," Gill explained.
Last season United failed to land a trophy for the first time in four years.
Meanwhile centre-back Laurent Blanc has still to agree a new 12-month deal and Denis Irwin and Ronny Johnsen not having their contracts renewed, leaving defence a key area of concern.