Scouts were sent by Alex Ferguson to Portugal on Sunday night to take yet another look at James Rodriguez, prompting further speculation that Manchester United will make a New Year bid for the dazzling 21-year-old Colombian Rodriguez

Sir Alex Ferguson has had a £30m offer rejected for the FC Porto winger. Manchester United have reportedly failed with an initial £30million offer for Porto’s highly-rated Colombian winger James Rodriguez.

Since United are hamstrung by the Glazer family’s ownership, the fee for the 20-year-old seems fantastical, let alone excessive. There’s also the alarming factor of the Reds identifying the wing as an area to strengthen rather than the infamous and oft-ineffectual midfield area.

The 20-year-old has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for some time as boss Sir Alex Ferguson’s scouts are lining up a potential replacement for Nani whose future remains uncertain as he has yet to agree a new deal to stay at United. As we reported last week, Rodriguez, who scored 13 goals in 20 games for the Portuguese champions last season, has expressed a desire to join the Red Devils.

James Rodriguez’s agent Silvio Sandri, described his client’s situation as ‘complex’ and confirmed he will meet with Porto officials to discuss his future. However, with the Portuguese outfit determined to hold out for the £40million buy-out clause in his contract, it appears that United have tested the water with an offer that falls £10million short of their valuation.

It remains to be seen if they will return with a fresh bid or focus their attentions on handing Nani a new contract which meets his demands. Reports suggest the Portugal international wants a wage increase from £80,000-per-week to £120,000-per-week in order to pledge his long-term future to the Red Devils.

Rodriguez helped Porto to a 2-1 win against Academica on Sunday night, scoring his side’s opening goal and generally putting in another assured shift.

The Premier League leaders are poised to step up their pursuit of the young Colombian international as a replacement for Nani, who looks set to be offloaded in January.

That’s likely to spark a reaction from Porto. It’s reported the Portuguese outfit will increase his release clause fee from £25m to £38m in an attempt to ward off United’s interest.

Five facts about Manchester United transfer target James Rodriguez

Here are five facts about him… 1) Rodriguez turns 21 in a fortnight’s time, and has played for Porto since 2010, signing from Argentine side Banfield. 2) During his time at Banfield he helped the club win their first ever Argentine championship, scoring in the deciding game. 3) Rodriguez is a winger who plays predominantly on the left side. He scored a hat-trick in the Portuguese Cup Final this season in a 6-2 win over Vitor Guimares. 4) In total this season he scored 13 times in 20 league starts, also providing eight assists. 5) He scored his first international goal for Colombia earlier this month in a 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Peru.

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