MANCHESTER UNITED TRANSFER RUMOURS: Hazard, Kagawa, Boateng, Van Wolfswinkel, Powell Involved In Latest Speculation

The long-drawn out transfer saga of Eden Hazard was finally laid to rest on Monday with the announcement that the in-demand Belgian would be signing for Chelsea. But, far from losing sleep over Hazard's decision, it appears that boss Sir Alex Ferguson has long anticipated this outcome and is thought to be in the advanced stages of securing an alternative.

And top of Ferguson's wanted list is Shinji Kagawa The Japanese international has for some time appeared a likelier signing for United than Hazard and the club is allegedly closing in on the completion of a deal.

The Guardian reports that United has agreed a fee with Borussia Dortmund that with add-ons could be worth £17.6 million. No personal terms are thought to have yet been negotiated with Kagawa, however.

It has widely been viewed as a case of if rather than when Kagawa, 23, would sign for United since boss Sir Alex Ferguson watched the attacking midfielder in the DFB-Pokal final earlier this month and the player revealed that he subsequently met with United's manager.

Kagawa, who has just a year remaining on his contract with the German double winners, has made no secret of his desire to play in the Premier League.

The seemingly imminent arrival of Kagawa makes the continued stories linking United with a move for Milan's Kevin-Prince Boateng appear all the more far-fetched. The People is the latest source to claim United hold an interest in the Ghana international.

With Milan unlikely to be open to selling Boateng and United surely unwilling to spend big on another attacking midfielder, this story looks like mere hollow speculation.

United do appear intent on recruiting Crewe offensive midfielder Nick Powell, however. While reports last week claiming that United had already agreed a deal for the 18-year-old now appear presumptuous, the transfer is still being reported as imminent.

The Daily Star claims that the Red Devils will complete a £3 million deal for Powell within the next week.

Powell is widely regarded as one of the brightest prospects to come out of the famed Crewe academy in quite some time. The England youth international scored his 16th goal of the season on Sunday to give Crewe a 2-0 win over Cheltenham in the League Two playoff final and recently scooped all five prizes at the club's end of season awards.

As well as midfield, United has also been linked with a host of players to fill a likely void in their striking ranks next season. With Dimitar Berbatov linked to Paris Saint Germain as he appears certain to follow Michael Owen out of Old Trafford, Ferguson is thought to be looking to bring in a replacement this summer.

And Talksport reports that United could rekindle their interest in Ricky van Wolfswinkel. The Dutchman was thought to be close to agreeing a new contract with Sporting Lisbon, though it now appears that talks have stalled.

We are waiting for Sporting, said Van Wolfswinkel's agent Louis Laros. There is still no progress in increasing the value of the buy-out clause that the club wants to include.

I have heard rumors in the media about interest in the player from foreign clubs.

Van Wolfswinkel, 23, has impressed with 14 goals in 21 league starts in his first season in Portugal.