United and Juve Battle for Champions League Starlet

Juventus and Manchester United have been warned only a substantial bid for Nordsjaelland defender Jores Okore will help prise him away from the Champions League debutants.

Okore has been the shining light of a Nordsjaelland side who made their bow in Europe's premier club competition this season but have picked up just one point from their three group matches.

Amid increasing speculation that the end of the Danish league season will be the precursor of Okore's departure, with the likes of United and Juventus mentioned as potential destinations, the player's agent Juric Jaegerfeld has moved to quash any suggestion the 20-year-old could be allowed to leave on the cheap.

"Juventus and Manchester United interested in him? I cannot say specifically which clubs have shown interest, but I can confirm that there have been contacts," he said.

"If a club want him they will have to make an offer in January at his club, but Jores is focused on Nordsjaelland and is not thinking about the market.

"How much is his price? He was voted the best Nordsjaelland youngster for two consecutive seasons and has already played in the Danish national team.

"Fiorentina have sold a player of this type (Matija Nastasic) at Manchester City, and Okore's situation is similar."

Nastasic, touted as the next big thing in Serbian football, joined City for a reported £12 million on deadline day of the summer transfer window but has found opportunities hard to come by with captain Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott often preferred in defence.

Should either of Okore's suitors, namely United and Juve, match the £12 million City paid for Nastasic in their pursuit of Okore, it would be the joint highest transfer fee paid for any Norwegian player, following Tore Andre Flo's move from Chelsea to Rangers in 2000.

Juventus face Norsjaelland in the Champions League on Wednesday, while United take on Braga in Group H knowing a win secure qualification for the knockout phase.