Manchester United £9 million bid for Yorke is rejected

English Premiership side Aston Villa have rejected the first formal approach made by Manchester United for their top scorer Dwight Yorke.

Yorke has led the list of scorers at Villa Park for the past three seasons and is the principal target for the Manchester club this summer. Their initial bid of £9 million has been rejected out of hand by Villa who value the Trinidad and Tobago international at around £15 million.

Manchester United will have to get closer to that valuation if they are to sign Yorke. Their decision will need to come quickly as any new player has to be registered by Saturday with UEFA if they are to be eligible to play in the Champions League. If they persue Yorke then a player plus cash deal involving Old Trafford's top scorer Andy Cole or Norwegian international Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been mooted but United have the money to maintain a cash interest in the Aston Villa player.

If the deal falls through a quick move for Patrick Kluivert or Alen Boksic by August 1st could happen.