Manchester United to sign Anelka if talks with Chelsea collapse

London (ANI): Manchester United is ready to sign striker Nicolas Anelka if his contract negotiations with Chelsea collapse.

The striker has only a year left on his Blues deal and talks are going on for a new two-year offer, but United has said it is ready to pounce if anything goes wrong.

Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson is a long-time admirer of the striker, The Sun reports.

He first looked at signing Anelka when he went on loan to Liverpool in 2002 and almost got him again before he left Bolton for Chelsea in an 18 million pound deal in January 2008.

Ferguson wants Anelka to replace Dimitar Berbatov and he could get his man for an eight million pound fee.

Anelka was the Premiership's top scorer last season with 19 and has 13 goals so far this campaign.