United expect to sign Thuram soon

Manchester United want to pay Parma AC more than £15 million for French international defender Lilian Thuram.

United lost out with an £11 million offer to Parma for the Euro 2000 and 1998 World Cup winner last year. He signed a new five year contract with the club last year after Parma resisted a £15 million offer from Internazionale but United are confident that they will be able to beat Juventus to Thuram and confirm his signing next month.

Thuram is regarded as one of the best defenders in the world and United want to add him to their squad to pair with Jaap Stam in a renewed bid for the Champions League title next season.

Thuram only has to use his express speed against the very best in the world and is comfortable at either right side of defence or in the centre. He is a great timer of the tackle and he will be seen as the next true defensive great of world football if he expresses himself more with his passing.

He is still loved in France for two goals in the World Cup semi final and cemented his reputation as one of the world's best players in the Euro finals. He often runs positively with the ball out of defence and likes to move into advanced positions on the right hand side.

A five year veteran with Parma in Serie A, Thuram is rated as the best foreign defender in Italy and the club have turned back serious interest in their French star for the last three summers. The 29 year old was signed from AS Monaco in 1996 and has won two UEFA Cups and two Italian Cups with Parma.

United have kept closely informed of Thuram's intention to leave Parma and the club do not want to sell him to an Italian rival.

United broke the British transfer record last week to sign PSV star Ruud van Nistelrooy and are looking to add a defender and two midfielders to their squad for next season with Thuram their top priority.