MANCHESTER UNITED TRANSFER RUMOURS: Hazard, Van Persie, Kagawa, Lewandowski, Owen, Rodriguez And Asamoah Involved In Latest Speculation

Having been forced to play second fiddle to Manchester City on the pitch this season, Manchester United continue to play a supporting role to their neighbors in the race to sign the much coveted Eden Hazard.

There may be some hope for United on the horizon, though, with Tribal Football claiming that the Belgium midfielder's contract negotiations have hit a snag. The report claims that Hazard and his representatives are after virtually double the £100,000-a-week wages that he is being offered.

It is hard to envisage Hazard's move to City breaking down over finances, though, despite City's determination to prevent the club's endless wealth being taken advantage of in the transfer market.

The likelihood remains that United will continue to pursue their interest in Borussia Dortmund's Shinji Kagawa instead. The Daily Star reports on Wednesday that United are willing to go to £12 million in order to beat out the advances of Milan, Chelsea and Juventus, despite the attacking midfielder having just a year remaining on his contract.

Earlier in the week Kagawa confirmed that he had met with Sir Alex Ferguson, with the Japan international said to have visited United's facilities.

There are also further developments in United's rumored interest in Kagawa's teammate, Robert Lewandowski. According to Tribal Football, Dortmund are already a seeking a replacement for the Polish striker in Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner.

With Michael Owen having confirmed that he will be leaving the club and Dimitar Berbatov soon expected to follow suit, there is likely to be a vacancy to fill up front this summer. And Lewandowski, who scored 22 goals in the Bundesliga last season, could be an ideal addition.

A likely more expensive, and certainly more complex, alternative is to try and pries Robin van Persie away from rivals Arsenal. With the Premier League's Golden Boot winner set to decide his future imminently, the Daily Mirror report that United and Manchester City are waiting in the wings.

The story claims that the Red Devils are willing to match City's offer of a three-year deal worth £130,000-a-week for the 28-year-old.

Ferguson is also sure to be looking to bolster the team's midfield this summer. One name that the club has been linked to is Udinese's Kwadwo Asamoah, who has impressed in Serie A over the past campaign. But Talksport reports that Juventus will look to snap up the Ghanaian imminently with an offer of £8 million plus Michele Pazienza, who spent the second-half of last season on-loan with Francesco Guidolin's side.

There is similarly discouraging news concerning United's alleged pursuit of Porto's James Rodriguez. The Colombian has been hailed by many as the new Cristiano Ronaldo after a series of eye-catching displays in Portugal. And 14 goals this sneason have led to the 20-year-old gaining the interest of many of Europe's top clubs, including Manchester United.

But Rodriguez has said that he is happy to remain at the Estadio do Dragao.

My desire is to continue with the club and give the fans great joy, he said, according to Tribal Football. Manchester? They are just rumors. Nothing. I'm going on holiday to think about returning to FC Porto.

In fact, fans can count on me for next season.