Michael Regan/Getty Images

According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United are apparently interested in signing controversial midfielder Joey Barton, who is now a free agent after being released by Newcastle. Barton has had a controversial career but he had an excellent time with the Magpies and was a key member for the side helping them achieve a respectable position in the league table last season.

It has been reported that Manchester United have made contact with Barton's representatives and there exists the possibility that the Red Devils could be interested in signing the 29-year-old. Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City are also apparently interested in the midfielder but Barton wants to have regular playing time in order to enhance his chances of playing for England. 

However, Barton's wage demands of  £65,000 per week could put off some prospective clubs but Stoke City and Celtic are apparently interested in the midfielder and Barton could get more playing time than what he would get at a club like Arsenal or Manchester United. Though he remains a quality midfielder, his controversial behaviour and recent twitter outbursts mean that it could prove to be a gamble to pay such high wages for the midfielder.

Stanley Chou/Getty Images

According to the Mirror, Samir Nasri has apparently had a row with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is apparently considering selling the talented French international if they can sign Valencia midfielder Juan Mata. Nasri will not be a part of the team for the preseason friendly against Benfica though Wenger said on the official website that he was left out due to a muscular problem. Cesc Fabregas was also left out of the trip to Portugal which puts further doubt about his future at the Emirates.

Manchester City have apparently shown their interest in the Frenchman, who has only one year left on his contract and if he does not sign a new contract, then Wenger could consider selling the 24-year-old though it will be a blow for the Gunners. With the relations between Nasri and Wenger reported to be at an all-time low, City are apparently prepared to make a £22 million swoop for the youngster.

However according to the Telegraph, Manchester United were also interested in Nasri and though there has been no concrete developments regarding their interest in the recent past, United could challenge City if Arsenal are prepared to sell the midfielder. Nasri was one of the best players in the last season and his versatility would mean that United could utilize him in a more central role which might not be possible at City where they have Yaya Toure or David Silva to play in a more central role.

If the Gunners are prepared to sell Nasri, there is every possibility that United could make a move for the midfielder to add quality depth in midfield. Nasri prefers to play in a more central role and also at United, he would have a better chance of winning trophies than at City which is why United are still in with a chance of enticing Nasri to the red half of Manchester.

Michael Steele/Getty Images

According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United are apparently interested in Valencia midfielder Juan Mata, who has attracted interest from other clubs as well. The negotiations with Inter Milan regarding Wesley Sneijder is still continuing but United have posted interest in the Spanish international if the deal does not materialize. According to the Daily Mail, rivals Manchester City are close to finalizing a deal for Sneijder according to reports from Italy.

City captain Carlos Tevez could apparently move the other way, possibly on loan with view to a permanent deal. If City do sign Sneijder, it will be a blow for United who could target Mata, who has also been linked with a move to the Gunners according to the Mirror. The Spanish midfielder will apparently cost around £18 million, though it could be more as well, but it is affordable for United, who are one of the biggest clubs in the club.

The Valencia midfielder has been primarily utilized on the wings at the Mestalla but he can also play behind the striker in a central role. Arsenal are also interested because they might lose both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri in the summer and Mata could be a player who will give them a huge boost. Mata is one of the most talented youngsters in the world and could improve the quality of the team at United. 

Paolo Bruno/Getty Images

According to the Mirror, Manchester United are apparently interested in Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder, who is one of the best central midfielders in the world. Inter Milan and Manchester United have apparently held formal meetings regarding the potential transfer of Sneijder and though they have not finalized the terms of the deal, they are prepared to let United hold discussions with representatives of Sneijder regarding a potential move to Manchester.

The Dutch midfielder currently has what amounts to a tax free deal at Inter Milan, which is a problem for Manchester United but the Red Devils are confident that they could put together a deal which could entice the midfielder to join them. Manchester United are allegedly preparing a deal which would have a higher signing-on fee, a number of incentives and attractive image rights deal for the midfielder, which is possible due to the Red Devils having one of the largest fan-bases in the world.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to strengthen the team in the summer following the retirements of Edwin Van Der Sar and Paul Scholes and though they have brought in three exciting players in Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David De Gea, Ferguson has not yet signed a replacement for Scholes. It is possible that the manager might provide chances for Tom Cleverley and Anderson to prove their worth but it is also possible that the manager could target Sneijder as the man to replace Scholes.