Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is prepared to cash in on Nemanja Vidic.

The News of the World says Ferguson is laying the groundwork for Serbian defender Vidic to leave next summer by routinely monitoring the form of Palermo defender Simon Kjaer.

The Danish centre-half has a release clause in his contract with the Italians worth £10million and is being primed for a move to Old Trafford.

Ferguson is also convinced Northern Ireland international Jonny Evans, despite acknowledging his lack of pace, will emerge as a top-class central defender alongside Rio Ferdinand.