MANCHESTER UNITED TRANSFER RUMOURS: Kagawa, Boateng, Lavezzi, Strootman And Ba All Involved In Latest Speculation

As they continue to wait on Eden Hazard's long-anticipated decision over his future, Manchester United are reportedly pushing ahead in their pursuit of Shinji Kagawa.

It was claimed on Thursday that United had lodged a £13.6 million bid for the Borussia Dortmund star and now that opening offer is set to be increased to £16 million, according to TalkSport.

Dortmund is thought to be resigned to losing the attacking midfielder this summer with Kagawa refusing to agree to an extension on a contract that has just a year to run. However, the club has expressed their determination not to allow one of the standout performers from their double-winning season to leave for a song.

This apparent chasing of Kagawa makes the latest speculation linking United with a move for Kevin-Prince Boateng seem all the more curious. A report in Corriere dello Sport alleges that Sir Alex Ferguson sees the Milan midfielder as the man to occupy the role behind Wayne Rooney.

The Ghanaian has impressed since moving to the Italian capital after spells with Portsmouth and Tottenham in the Premier League. But after targeting Kagawa and Hazard as attacking midfielders for so long it would be a major surprise if Ferguson had suddenly switched his focus to the Ghana international. Boateng would also likely cost a significant sum to pries him away from the San Siro.

The rumor mill does not stop there in terms of providing names to link up with Wayne Rooney next season. The Journal of Naples also gets in on the act by claiming that United are interested in Napoli's Ezequiel Lavezzi.

The Argentine has been much-linked with a move away from the Italian side after their failure to qualify for the Champions League for next season. And with a £25 million release clause said to be in his contract, he could be on the radar of many of Europe's top clubs.

His signing would make greater sense for United than that of Boateng. While capable of playing in a No. 10 role, Lavezzi has spent much of his time cutting in from a position on the left, a role that could prove useful at Old Trafford.

With Michael Owen's exit already confirmed and Dimitar Berbatov expected to follow imminently, United should also have an opening for a more orthodox frontman this summer.

The club could do a lot worse than snap up Newcastle striker Demba Ba, a reported target for United, according to the Telegraph.

With it now common knowledge that the Senegalese has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for as little as £7 million, he could be a bargain, allowing United to spend larger sums elsewhere.

As Darren Fletcher continues his uncertain absence with illness, Ferguson may also be looking to bring in a defensive-minded midfielder this summer. One name repeatedly linked to potentially fill that vacancy is PSV Eindhoven's Kevin Strootman.

The latest news has the player's agent, Chiel Dekker, stating that the Dutch international's future will be decided after Euro 2012.

Inter Milan and the player? At the moment there is nothing concrete, he reportedly said. Manchester United? The same. Personally, I find it rather difficult for him to leave the club because he only arrived last summer and has a five-year contract.

The boy is not worried at all and is just focused on his work for Holland. Eventually, after the Euros we will see what might happen.

While United may have one eye on the player seen in his homeland as the next Mark van Bommel, with only one season under his belt at PSV, it remains likely that the 22-year-old will continue his development in the Netherlands for at least another year.