Man Utd Transfer News: Yohan Cabaye & Demba Ba To Old Trafford?

Caught Offside. Red Devils boss Sir. Alex Ferguson believes United's centre-midfield positions and forward options are the two weakness areas in his squad and he has been impressed with Cabaye and Ba ever since Newcastle outclassed them in a 3-0 loss at St. James' Park in January, a game where Cabaye and Ba both got on the score sheet. Fergie knows he needs to add some proven quality to his squad after last season's nightmarish conclusion where they lost the Premier League crown to the "nosy neighbours" Manchester City and crashed out of the Champions League in the early group stages. With Ba's £7-9 million release clause, Fergie knows a bargain can be made there and the offer of Champions League football would likely be enough to tempt the Senegalese international who scored 16 goals last season to come to Old Trafford. However in the case of Cabaye, Caught Offside claims Ferguson is expected to offer over £16 million to secure the French international's signature, a fee that despite Cabaye's great season, would be accepted instantly by Ashley who bought the 26-year-old for a fee believed to be in a £4-5 million range. Fergie is willing to spend that much money on the Euro 2012 star as he would come half as cheap as Luka Modric and is the box-to-box midfielder he needs to get the best out of Wayne Rooney. With Paul Scholes likely only sticking around for one more season, Darren Fletcher's health problems making his future unknown, Michael Carrick not getting any younger and Anderson likely heading for the exit doors, Fergie is keen to land Cabaye and will likely pay over the odds.