Hofland:
Manchester United youth coach Arthur Albiston has revealed The Red Devils have "first option" to sign PSV Eindhoven defender Kevin Hofland.
Albiston, currently involved in coaching the Under-15 side at Old Trafford, confirmed Sir Alex Ferguson is currently monitoring a number of Italian-based defenders, as well as 22-year-old Holland star Hofland.
He told TEAMtalk: "There are a couple of Italian centre-halves, (Alessandro) Nesta at Lazio and (Fabio) Cannavaro at Parma.
"Parma have had a terrible season in the Italian league, so he (Cannavaro) may be looking for a move to a bigger club.
"There was a couple of other Roma players that the manager was looking at as well, and it looks as though United have got first option on the lad at PSV."
Ferguson watched Lazio crash 5-1 in yesterday's Rome derby, with target Nesta admitting he was "absent-minded and unfocused" under the gaze of the Red Devils boss.
Ferguson flew to Italy to make a personal check on the £30million-rated defender - but it was Roma striker Vincenzo Montella who stole the headlines in a capital rout.
Nesta was withdrawn at half-time as Montella notched a first-half hat-trick for the Italian champions as their five-star performance took them back to the top of the Serie A table.
And the 25-year-old Italy international conceded afterwards that his mind was elsewhere than the Stadio Olimpico.
"I must admit that part of the responsibility for Roma's first three goals is mine," Nesta said.
"I've made a lot of mistakes and that's why, together with the coach, we decided that it was best for me not to play the second half."
Ferguson is keen to shore up his defence in the close season and Nesta - tipped to be this summer's star defender in the World Cup finals - is top of his list. Real Madrid are also in the running to sign Nesta but United have the upper hand, owing to Lazio's crippling financial crisis.
The Italian outfit have fallen behind in their payments for former United defender Jaap Stam, but any debt could be written off if the two parties can reach an agreement over the much-coveted Nesta.
The player admits he is unable to concentrate because of ongoing speculation over his future and looked a shadow of his former self after being given the run around by Montella.
"I don't know why, but I simply did not step on the field with the correct mental attitude. I just wasn't there," he added.
"I've played several important games but, for some reason I can't fathom, I just was completely absent-minded and unfocused. Things have gone awfully and I ask all of our fans to forgive us."
Manchester United youth coach Arthur Albiston has revealed The Red Devils have "first option" to sign PSV Eindhoven defender Kevin Hofland.
Albiston, currently involved in coaching the Under-15 side at Old Trafford, confirmed Sir Alex Ferguson is currently monitoring a number of Italian-based defenders, as well as 22-year-old Holland star Hofland.
He told TEAMtalk: "There are a couple of Italian centre-halves, (Alessandro) Nesta at Lazio and (Fabio) Cannavaro at Parma.
"Parma have had a terrible season in the Italian league, so he (Cannavaro) may be looking for a move to a bigger club.
"There was a couple of other Roma players that the manager was looking at as well, and it looks as though United have got first option on the lad at PSV."
Ferguson watched Lazio crash 5-1 in yesterday's Rome derby, with target Nesta admitting he was "absent-minded and unfocused" under the gaze of the Red Devils boss.
Ferguson flew to Italy to make a personal check on the £30million-rated defender - but it was Roma striker Vincenzo Montella who stole the headlines in a capital rout.
Nesta was withdrawn at half-time as Montella notched a first-half hat-trick for the Italian champions as their five-star performance took them back to the top of the Serie A table.
And the 25-year-old Italy international conceded afterwards that his mind was elsewhere than the Stadio Olimpico.
"I must admit that part of the responsibility for Roma's first three goals is mine," Nesta said.
"I've made a lot of mistakes and that's why, together with the coach, we decided that it was best for me not to play the second half."
Ferguson is keen to shore up his defence in the close season and Nesta - tipped to be this summer's star defender in the World Cup finals - is top of his list. Real Madrid are also in the running to sign Nesta but United have the upper hand, owing to Lazio's crippling financial crisis.
The Italian outfit have fallen behind in their payments for former United defender Jaap Stam, but any debt could be written off if the two parties can reach an agreement over the much-coveted Nesta.
The player admits he is unable to concentrate because of ongoing speculation over his future and looked a shadow of his former self after being given the run around by Montella.
"I don't know why, but I simply did not step on the field with the correct mental attitude. I just wasn't there," he added.
"I've played several important games but, for some reason I can't fathom, I just was completely absent-minded and unfocused. Things have gone awfully and I ask all of our fans to forgive us."
