Man United’s Moyes looking for stars

Manchester United manager David Moyes stepped up his summer signing quest by flying to Lisbon to watch a trio of his top transfer targets in action.

Moyes, who can expect a massive budget for the next transfer window, attended Porto’s Portugal Cup semi-final with Benfica at the Estadio da Luz.

The manager is currently attempting to narrow down a long list of candidates to strengthen his ailing side following a terrible season.

In Lisbon Moyes watched three of his targets: Eliaquim Mangala, Jackson Martinez and Guilherme Siqueira.

Reportedly, the two players under closest review were highly-rated centre-back Eliaquim Mangala and his Porto team-mate Jackson Martinez.

Scotsman Moyes had also been told of Benfica’s on-loan left-back Guilherme Siqueira and was keen to see the player in action.

Martinez is one of the Portuguese League’s most prolific strikers, and has attracted the attention of Roma, Arsenal and Chelsea, as well as United, in recent weeks.

If Moyes opts for Mangala it won’t be a cheap deal. The player has a reported £37.8m buyout clause and Moyes is said to be reluctant to meet the cost. Manchester City are also interested in the centre-back.

Moyes was treated to a real show, with 10 players booked, two – including Mangala – sent off and both coaches dismissed.  

Moyes is also said to be very interested in Real Madrid’s Coentrao, who had a spat with losing side Barcelona’s Neymar during last night’s Copa del Rey final. Coentrao could be set to replace United’s Patrice Evra.