Manchester United are reportedly in the process of launching an £8m summer swoop for Celtic's Biram Kayal.

Sir Alex Ferguson travelled to Glasgow to run his eye over Kayal's teammate Emilio Izaguirre in the Old Firm cup tie at Ibrox earlier this month. However, Kayal's tough-tackling performance made an impression on the United manager who has instructed the team's scouts to continue monitoring the former Maccabi Haifa player.

Kayal said: "It's very flattering and heartwarming but at the moment I'm concentrating on winning the SPL title with Celtic and playing for them in the Champions League next season.

"I'm going to have to carry on working hard if I want to get to the top."

Kayal's agent Dudu Dahan said: "Nobody will be surprised if Biram plays for a club of United's stature one day. But the most important thing for him at the moment is to win the SPL title."

Kayal, 22, was chosen as SPL player of the month in January.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon said: "He is a hungry boy. He came back from his injury better than expected and has made a huge difference in the last month or so. He has been superb."