United, Arsenal and Everton in three-way battle
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Wanted man: Aaron Ramsey
Aaron Ramsey, the Welsh teenager at the centre of a bidding war between leading Premier League clubs, will travel first to Manchester United's Carrington training ground before the weekend for talks with Sir Alex Ferguson.
United are one of three clubs who have had offers of £5 million accepted by Cardiff City, though Arsenal and Everton have also been given permission to speak to Ramsey.
However, Ramsey's advisors have made it clear that the player has not agreed terms with any of the three clubs. He is expected to consider his options over the weekend, and is likely to make a decision next week.
Everton became the latest club to table a bid yesterday. They issued a statement, which said: "[Cardiff] have accepted a bid of £5 million from Everton for the 17-year-old midfielder, and have now been given permission to talk to the player."
United appear to have the upper hand. Ferguson held talks last week in Moscow with manager Dave Jones and chief executive Peter Ridsdale before the Champions League final.
United propose that Ramsey would be returned immediately to Cardiff for a season-long loan, which would have the dual benefit of enabling the player to add to his 22-games' worth of experience, and try to help Cardiff win promotion from the Championship.