United target City's Anelka

United target: Nicolas Anelka

14 April 2012

Roy Keane fears a lack of quality strikers is damaging Manchester United's Premiership title bid but believes Sir Alex Ferguson will remedy the situation next month

United, boosted by a new £ 36million sponsorship deal with Vodafone announced yesterday, have already begun a move to sign Manchester City's Nicolas Anelka for around £10m.

Skipper Keane said: 'This club is always on the lookout for players who can improve the squad and I'm sure that come January the manager will look to do that, particularly when we are looking to win the Premiership, the FA Cup and the Champions League.'

It is understood that United made contact with Anelka three weeks ago via an intermediary who reported that the French striker was willing to cross Manchester's football divide. The former Arsenal marksman is desperate to play Champions League football. While he is cup-tied for Europe this season having played in the UEFA Cup, Anelka has indicated that he has had enough of life under Kevin Keegan.

Anelka was recently dropped for refusing to attend a team bonding session and his relationship with Keegan is rocky following disagreements about tactics. He has indicated that he would be willing to agitate for his transfer in the way he did before his acrimonious move from Highbury to Real Madrid three-and-a-half years ago.

That may not be necessary as City cannot provide Keegan with any transfer funds to buy in next month's transfer window and the only solution is to sell first to raise money.

Alan Smith and Jermain Defoe also feature on Ferguson's list of potential purchases and Keane reacted swiftly to the weekend defeat by Chelsea which left them four points adrift of the new League leaders by announcing that the team must score more goals if they are to compete on all fronts this season.

Keane said: 'The squad we have now are capable of winning a couple of trophies but somehow I feel that we need one more player - maybe a striker because we are short up front.

If you get one or two injuries we could really struggle and I'm sure the manager is in control of that.' Ruud van Nistelrooy remains their most potent forward and despite Diego Forlan's recent run of six goals in as many matches, Keane is positive that United will be boosted by a new face next month.

Ferguson made an inquiry about Defoe before the start of the season but West Ham were unwilling to sell at that time. However, the acquisition of Marlon Harewood and Brian Deane suggests they may be willing to in the new year.

Smith, like Defoe, is eligible to play in Europe and with Leeds United edging closer to administration he is likely to be available for as little as £6m. Recruiting him on a personal level will be more of a challenge because of his strong ties with the club but Leeds are in no financial position to refuse an offer.

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Alan Smithers

David Jones (Footballer)

Leeds United

Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Sir Alex Ferguson

UEFA Champions League

United target City's Anelka

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