Ferguson wins race to sign £6.9m Forlan

Diego Forlan dug his heels in yesterday, forgoing extra money in order to sign for Manchester United in a deal worth £6.9m and leave Middlesbrough out in the cold.

The 22-year-old Uruguayan striker is likely to watch his new team-mates play Blackburn at Old Trafford today and he may not be the only new face for long. United are also hoping to sign Paolo Di Canio from West Ham for £2.7m in the next 48 hours. The Italian's move has not been affected by Forlan's arrival and talks have re-opened.

Forlan demanded a move to Old Trafford when the deal looked like it was about to fall through after his club, Independiente, had demanded an extra £500,000, on the basis of United's name and wealth.

Independiente relented and United got their man after a three-week chase. Forlan would have got another £100,000 if the fee had increased by another £500,000.

He arrived at Gatwick Airport just after dawn with the Middlesbrough delegation on the same flight from Buenos Aires. However, a United party, including his European agent Daniel Bolotnikoff, were there to take him to Manchester.

Forlan was due to head for Old Trafford immediately, but Independiente's representatives refused because they claimed United had not agreed a fee. Talks went on in an airport cafe. Forlan and his party then headed for Manchester, while two Independiente officials flew to Middlesbrough to apologise.

The move for the 33-year-old Di Canio should be resolved as United are willing to pay extra to let West Ham give their captain the £400,000 he is due from a loyalty clause in his contract.

Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, has been given the go-ahead because Dwight Yorke will be allowed to leave for £5m. Middlesbrough may take him as consolation for losing Forlan, though Sunderland are also interested.