Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is preparing a £14 million bid for Racing Santander defender Ezequiel Garay.

The People says Garay was set for a move to Barcelona but Ferguson is ready to hijack the deal in a bid to strengthen his defence for next season.

The Racing Santander star, 21, was linked with a move to Liverpool in January but they refused to sell him before the summer. Juventus are also interested.