West Brom hoping to sign Macheda
West Bromwich Albion are hoping to bolster their forward line with the loan signing of Federico Macheda.
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wants Macheda to get first team football, and has indicated he will only loan him to a club that will offer him a place in the starting line-up. Sir Alex is also eager for Macheda to sign for an English club despite interest in Italy from Sampdoria, Inter, Juventus, Fiorentina and Lazio.
The Italy Under-21 international has found chances limited at Old Trafford this term, starting just two Premier League games with five further appearances from the substitutes' bench. His only goal in all competitions came in the dramatic comeback at Aston Villa as United drew 2-2.
Macheda has suffered with injuries since bursting onto the scene, making a scoring debut against Villa to help United take the 2008-09 Premier League title. Ferguson hopes that regular top-flight action will help the 19-year-old's development.
West Brom enquired about the striker's services in the past and manager Roberto Di Matteo will now renew his interest.
Di Matteo said: "Macheda is someone we looked at right at the start of last season.
"He's a striker, we are after a striker and we have to look at whether Manchester United will let him join us.''
Di Matteo has also been linked with Aston Villa's John Carew who has slipped down the pecking order.
Ferguson said: "If any club comes along and convinces the player and me that he'll get games, they will be the ones we will be thinking about. He's thinking about Italy, but I'd hope it will be the Premier League."
The player's agent has suggested the loan may include an option to make the move permanent.
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