United ace to Real and other transfer gossip

Real Madrid are on the brink of signing powerhouse Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic. According to reports, the Spanish giants are ready to capitalise on the growing rift between United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and the Serbian by making a £30m bid for the player. Speculation around Vidic’s United future intensified over the weekend when he was a late withdrawal for Sunday's FA Cup match against Leeds, which the Red Devils lost 1-0. Elsewhere, Liverpool are keen to bring Atletico Madrid's Argentine winger Maxi Rodriguez to Anfield this January, initially on a short-term loan deal; Tottenham will attempt to beat the Reds to Rodriguez's signature though by offering midfielder David Bentley on loan as part of the deal; and Birmingham will test Liverpool's desire to hold on to Ryan Babel by bidding £8m for the Dutch winger in January.