Manchester United are intensifying their pursuit of Marseille winger Hatem Ben Arfa.

The Daily Mail says according to reports in France, the Barclays Premier League champions are locked in negotiations to secure the promising 22-year-old talent, whom L'OM are looking to offload after a recent bust-up between the midfielder and boss Didier Deschamps.

Everton and Birmingham are among a list of potential suitors and Old Trafford chief Sir Alex Ferguson is said to be keen to send Ben Arfa out on loan to enhance his experience of English football before introducing him to his first team plans next term.

But Ferguson would be taking a massive risk in signing the exciting youngster who has had been involved in a series of previous training ground controversies ever since his high-profile emergence in French football as a teenager at Lyon.

At 15 he allegedly clashed with Arsenal star Abou Diaby in a heated confrontation at France's renowned Clairefontaine academy while his exit at Lyon loomed after a tempered training ground scuffle with veteran defender Sebastian Squillaci in 2008.

United, who have closely monitored the highly-rated star's development over the past five years, remain extremely interested and are hoping to sign him for a relatively cheaper price - as they did with former Bordeaux youngster Gabriel Obertan this year.

Ben Arfa's agent insists Jean-Jacques Bertrand discussions have not taken place but refuses to rule out a move for his client.

"For now, we have not established contact with any club. But do not rule out a move," he told French sports newspaper L'Equipe.

"Maybe OM have had contact with interested clubs."