Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson is ready to make a formal bid for Valencia striker David Villa in the summer, according to reports from England.

The prolific forward is much-coveted in Europe, with the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid interested in luring the striker away from the Mestalla.

The 27-year-old is believed to have been close to a switch to the Blaugrana in the summer but has remained at with Los Che as they bid to make a return to the Champions League.

However, Valencia have dire financial worries and it is believed that their prized assets will need to be sold in order for the club to make ends meet.

According to The Sunday Express, Ferguson is readying a £50m bid for the Spanish international, who is currently the top scorer in the Primera Division and was instrumental in his nation’s flawless World Cup qualifying campaign that saw them win every single match on the way to South Africa.

The Red Devils are also rumoured to be interested in a move for Villa’s colleague David Silva, who is purported to be moving on next summer.