The United boss is considering making a £20million-plus bid for the French striker, according to News of the World.
Ferguson has been promised a bumper transfer kitty by United chief executive David Gill.
Gill said: “I can look you in the eye and tell you straight that we have the transfer funds available to the manager.
“Targets have been discussed already, as you’d expect, but it’s not our style to talk about names and it never will be.”
United have already secured the signing of Mexican striker Javier Hernandez and Fulham defender Chris Smalling.
