Manchester United Step up Interest in Colombia and Fiorentina Star Juan Cuadrado

Manchester United are reportedly ready to rival Barcelona with an improved bid of their own in signing Juan Cuadrado from Fiorentina in the ongoing transfer window.

Earlier reports suggested that the Red Devils have made an offer of £27.7m but the Catalan giants were ready to match the bid and include performance-based bonuses. However, Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claims that the 20-time English champions are now preparing an improved bid of €38m (£30m) for the Colombian international.

The winger has stolen the spotlight following his impeccable performances at the World Cup for Jose Pekerman's side. Fiorentina purchased the rights to fully own Cuadrado last month from fellow Serie A outfit Udinese.

United manager Louis van Gaal is believed to be keen on signing the 26-year-old and so is his counterpart at Nou Camp, Luis Enrique. The Dutchman is also in the market for an attacker but his top target Angel di Maria looks poised to join Paris Saint-Germain from Real Madrid.

Although a right-sided winger, the Blaugrana boss reportedly is a fan of Cuadrado's pace and considers him as an efficient backup for Dani Alves.

However, the Premier League and the La Liga giants will have to further improve their bids to land the Colombian this summer.

Earlier this month, the Viola's sporting director, Daniele Prade, revealed that the club's owners are not keen on parting ways with their prized asset.

But now he claims that they have received no offers and that the club will find it difficult to refuse an offer of €50 (£39.5m).

"We hope he remains with us. We have never had official offers for him. We talk frequently with him and his agent. On August 4th or 5th he will be back in Italy and then, we will talk. It would be really difficult refusing a €50 million euros offer. Let's wait, and let's see what will happen," Prade told Sky Sport Italia.