United Set to Sacrifice Stars to Outbid Barcelona for Miranda

Manchester United are reportedly ready to include Nani, Chicharito Hernandez or Anderson in any transfer negotiation to secure a cut-price deal for Atletico Madrid centre-back Joao Miranda – with Barcelona also closely monitoring the situation.

Spanish newspaper AS reported last month Louis van Gaal side were set to complete his signing after the Atletico Madrid star agreed terms with Old Trafford officials.

However, El Confidencial now reports that the negotiations have stalled as United are unlikely to meet his £24m release clause – and Atletico Madrid don't want to negotiate a cut-price deal either.

El Confidencial claim that the 29-year-old defender has already expressed his intention to move away from Atletico in the summer after United offered him £4.4m a year – almost trebling his current salary at the Vicente Calderon.

Nevertheless, United would have to act quickly to complete his signing as Barcelona are also desperately looking for a centre-back to replace Carles Puyol and Miranda is one of their main targets.

The Brazilian defender recently revealed Atletico have received some offers from both Premier League and La Liga sides - understood to be United and the Catalan side.

"I have some offers and we are negotiating," he said.

"I have offers from Spanish and English leagues and from some less important ones too. My agent is in Europe to decide my future, my buy-out fee at Atletico Madrid is €30m (£24m), but that can be negotiated."

Miranda surprisingly missed out on being included in Brazil's World Cup squad even though he forged an amazing partnership with Diego Godin at Atletico last season, becoming a crucial player in the Spanish giants' La Liga title success as well as in their progress to the Champions League final.