Manchester United 'readying £22m bid for Luka Modric'

Manchester United are reportedly preparing an offer of £22m for Tottenham Hotspur's Luka Modric.

Spurs value the midfielder at £30m, but Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes that the club's failure to secure Champions League football will aid his bid to secure his services.

The Mirror claims that the Croatian playmaker is on the verge of handing in a transfer request, and United are the favourites to snap him up.

United have already bolstered their midfield with the signing of Japan international Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund.

Ferguson is also seeking a long-term replacement for left-back Patrice Evra, and is lining up Everton's Leighton Baines for the role.