Ferguson asked to pay 40-mn pound for Marseille wonder kid Hatem

London, Jan 7 (ANI): Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been asked to pay 40 million pounds to take Marseille wonder winger Hatem Ben Arfa to Old Trafford.

Real Madrid are also keen but the high asking price means Arfa looks certain to stay in France.

Olympique Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier said: "If a club like Manchester United or Real Madrid offered 45 million Euros then we'd have to think twice."

"I don't believe it will happen but the market lasts another month," The Sun quoted Dassier, as saying.

The France star, 22, has failed to hit top form since a nine million pound move from Lyon 18 months ago, but remains one of the game's top prospects. (ANI)