Manchester United wants Kompany

Manchester United have lined up a deal to sign Vincent Kompany, Anderlecht's brilliant 17-year-old centre half. Boss Sir Alex Ferguson is poised to take the kid to Old Trafford.

Manu also has his pal and former team-mate Floribert Ngalula has already signed.

Kompany was watched by chief European scout Martin Ferguson when he gave a marvellous, mature display against Celtic in the Champions League last week.

Brussels-born Kompany is already cup-tied in Europe this season but United want to move in fast and tie up a deal in the next few months before their rival big boys move in.

Kompany has walked into the Anderlecht side this season and Belgium even picked him in their squad for a recent Euro 2004 qualifier as they build for the future.

Anderlecht hope to make a financial killing from the Champions League and they will look for a big fee for Kompany, the latest in a long line of discoveries they have made down the years. Tall, skilful and left-sided, Kompany made the big breakthrough in a Champions League qualifier in July and has held his place ever since in a meteoric rise to the top.

He has been at Anderlecht since he was six and his dad Pierre, who handles his affairs, insisted he stayed there until he made his name.

Arsenal tried to sign him last season before his debut and the cost now would start at around £2m. But that might still prove to be a bargain.