Moyes Hoping to Finally Bring Serbian Starlet to Manchester United – Report

Manchester United may finally land long-term target Adem Ljajic with new manager David Moyes also a keen admirer of the Fiorentina attacking midfielder.

The Serbia international was close to joining Manchester United back in 2009 when the club announced that they had concluded a deal to sign Ljajic and teammate Ivan Zoran Tosic from partisan Belgrade.

While Tosic made the move to the Premier League club, United then pulled out of a £9m deal for Ljajic. The midfielder was praised for the way he handled the decision and continued to impress back at the Serbian outfit.

Partizan's sports director said at the time that United had missed out an "excellent, young player, a footballer of big potential". Adding: "I think that they will regret this decision in future."

The 21 year old was described as the Serbia's brightest talent and was quickly snapped up by Fiorentina who signed the promising midfielder on a five-year contract back in January 2010 for a reported €8m.

Ljajic has continued to excel in Italy and has become an integral part of the first team for Fiorentina leading to reports back in Serbia that Manchester United are keen to renew their interest.

Serbian publication sportske.net has reported that new Manchester United boss Moyes is now ready to try and finally bring the youngster to Old Trafford on a permanent deal.

There is bound to be plenty of competition for Ljajic with the report suggesting that Juevntus, Fenerbahce and even Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund said to be interested in signing the midfielder this summer.

Ljajic tends to play as an attacking midfielder either behind a central striker or in the wide areas and with speculation over the future of Nani, he could well be seen as the perfect replacement.

The Serbian scored 11 goals in his 28 league appearances last season and Viola manager Vincenzo Montella wants him to sign a new contract in order to keep him at the club beyond his current deal which expires in 2014.