Manchester United face missing out on Standard Liege midfielder Steven Defour.
Defour's agent, Paul Stefani, confirmed United boss Sir Alex Ferguson's interest last week, but has revealed the midfielder is close to an agreement with Spartak Moscow.
"These days we are dealing with the sporting director of Spartak Moscow, Dmitry Popov. I think the deal can move forward, because Defour wants to play in Russia," said Stefani.
Last week, he revealed: "Manchester United? Ferguson admires him very much and when the player was injured he sent a letter to him as encouragement.
"His brother (Martin Ferguson) came to see him twice after he recovered from injury."
