Manchester United and Barcelona are battling for Bayern Munich's £8.5 million-rated fullback Philipp Lahm.

The Daily Mail says the Germany star is right-footed but plays for club and country mainly at left back.

United are eager to strengthen that area after offloading Gabriel Heinze to Real Madrid last summer, while there are also minor concerns over Patrice Evra's new contract demands.

And the fact that Gary Neville is struggling to resurrect his career after injury makes Lahm all the more enticing.

Lahm, 24, is a good friend of United's Owen Hargreaves but the appointment of Jurgen Klinsmann, a big fan of Lahm, as Bayern coach may complicate matters.

Barcelona want Lahm to play at right back and replace Gianluca Zambrotta who is expected to return to Italy with AC Milan in the summer and are prepared to offer a lucrative contract.

However, he is known to prefer a move to the Premier League if he does quit Germany.