United look to Tudor

Tudor has been in scintillating form at times this season for The Old Lady, playing 14 times, and even occasionally being utilised in a defensive midfield role.

An injury has kept him out of the side of late, but coach Marcello Lippi stated in December that he viewed the 23-year-old as 'Juve's Marcel Desailly.'

However, despite Juventus' insistence that the player is not for sale, the Croatian international has admitted in the past that he dreams of playing in England with Manchester United.

"United are always a dream option," said the former Hadjuk Split star in December.

"They are the biggest club in the world and, although I feel quite comfortable with Juventus at the moment, it has always been my dream to play in England.

"I love the English style of football but Juve are a big club as well and if I leave them, it will only be to play for a club of similar stature. Such clubs can only be found in the English or Spanish leagues."

Manchester United's defensive problems have been well publicised this season, although a recent winning streak has seen a major improvement.

However, Laurent Blanc is reaching the end of his career, and Sir Alex Ferguson has not yet fully compensated for the sale of Jaap Stam to Lazio.