Manchester United are ready to bid big for Lyon midfield ace Mikael Essien in the summer.

The Ghana international is being lined up by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson as Roy Keane's eventual successor and will attract a ?10 million offer from the Premiership giants in June, says the Daily Star.

Essien has been outstanding in the Champions League for Lyon this season and has also attracted concrete enquiries from Spanish pair Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Ferguson is aware of the growing interest in the young African, who came close to joining Everton 18 months ago, and hopes to tie up a deal quickly with Lyon before his price-tag rises.