Manchester United are believed to be in pole position to sign Borussia Dortmund's Ilkay Gundogan now that Barcelona have been placed under a transfer embargo.
The Catalan giants are banned from signing anyone until the summer of 2015 for breaching regulations regarding the recruitment of young players.
They were previously credited with a strong interest in Gundogan, who first garnered the attention of Europe's elite clubs when helping Dortmund to the Champions League final in 2012.
United have also been linked with the 23-year-old and the Daily Star claims that they are now favourites to sign the German international, who has not played since August because of a back injury.
However, the Red Devils do not seem to have any concerns about his long-term fitness as manager David Moyes has apparently given the go-ahead for them to launch a summer offer for the £25m-rated midfielder.
Moyes is expected to be very busy when the transfer window reopens and additions in the centre of the park are on his shortlist, with Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin also thought to be a target.
Dortmund have revealed that Gundogan, who has one year left on his current Westfalenstadion contract, has been offered a new deal to extend his stay with the Bundesliga outfit.
Joe Fish
