Manchester United are unlikely to sign new players in the January transfer window although talks continue with Partizan Belgrade duo Zoran Tosic and Adam Ljajic, according to the club.

Highly-rated Serbian winger Tosic has been cleared to join United after being granted a work permit by British authorities, but negotiations have stalled over personal terms.

Chief executive David Gill said talks were ongoing with both Tosic, 21, and midfielder Ljajic, 19.

“We’re still in negotiations with both,” Gill said in Japan where Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils are playing in the Club World Cup.

“We’ve agreed club terms, now we’re working on the player terms. They may or may not happen.

“Apart from those, I don’t think there will be a lot of activity from us in January.

“Perhaps the odd loan signing going out if Alex decides he wants to give some of the younger players first team experience elsewhere. But I don’t expect there to be much else.”

Agent Zoran Pavlovic told Belgrade media this week that United have yet to offer an acceptable salary for Tosic, who can play on either flank and has been capped 12 times by his country.

Serbia winger Zoran Tosic has failed to agree on a contract with Manchester United, but said he remains optimistic he will join the club in January.

The 21-year-old Partizan Belgrade player visited Old Trafford last week with his manager, but said Sunday that United’s offer “does not coincide with” his demands.

“We agreed to stay in touch and I believe that everything will be fine in the end,” he said.

Tosic’s manager Zoran Pavlovic said the player was unhappy with the salary he is being offered, and told Belgrade daily Blic that the winger might consider finding another club.

No details of the transfer fee has been given for Tosic, but local media said it was around €3.5 million ($4.5 million.)

Tosic was granted a British work permit last month, after United manager Alex Ferguson made a personal plea at a hearing in Sheffield.

Tosic has made 12 international appearances, including at the Beijing Olympics, and can play on either flank.

Manchester United look set to seal a deal for Serbian starlet Adem Ljajic after he travelled to England alongside Zoran Tosic.

Left winger Tosic has flown to Manchester to undergo a medical ahead of his proposed move to Old Trafford in January.

United have already agreed terms with Partizan Belgrade for Tosic and have successfully appealed to get him a work permit, and his move will be rubber-stamped once the transfer window opens next month.

Tosic, 20, flew to England on Wednesday evening after he played his final game for Partizan as they played out a goalless draw with Vojvodina.

“I’m going to Manchester to do a medical exam, but I will return in three days,” said Tosic.

“I hope everything will be okay, but I must confess that it’s hard to leave my club Partizan.

“Of course, there is a big feeling of pride, I’m off to sign for the biggest club in the world, which is my favourite from my early years.

“My goal is to continue to progress as a footballer and I want to show Manchester United that my transfer wasn’t a bad thing.”
Ljajic deal

But Tosic was not alone on the flight as his Partizan team-mate Ljajic accompanied him from Belgrade.

United have held a long-term interest in Ljajic and it has now been revealed that he has joined Tosic in Manchester.

It is reported in Serbia that Ljajic, who enjoyed a trial at Old Trafford earlier this year, will also have a medical with a view to signing for United.

Ljajic, rated as one of the best young players in Europe, will not be on the move immediately as United are ready to let him stay at Partizan for at least six months but possibly for as long as 18 months.

“I was in Manchester once as a guest,” said Ljajic.

“I had a chance to look at how things are going on in a big club and now I will have another look.

“I’m staying in Partizan at least until the end of the season and then we will see what happens.”

Zoran Tosic has been given the go-ahead to join Manchester United after the champions were granted a work permit for the young Serbian star.

United have been searching for a new winger for some time, possibly to replace veteran Ryan Giggs, and it was reported earlier this week that an £8million fee had been agreed for Tosic.

United have not confirmed the fee they have agreed with Partizan Belgrade to sign the player but Sir Alex Ferguson attended a permit hearing for the 21-year-old on Friday and emerged with positive news, meaning Tosic will move to Old Trafford in January.

Tosic has scored nine goals in 20 games so far this season and has established himself as an important member of the Serbia senior side after initially impressing for the Under-21s.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits he is unlikely to sign any players when the transfer window reopens, but expects cash-rich neighbours Manchester City to be busy.

Ferguson, who has been linked with a move for Serbian youngster Zoran Tosic, insists there will be no new faces arriving in January.

The United chief says he is happy with the squad at his disposal, but he believes City, backed by the Abu Dhabi United Group, will be flexing their muscles.

“There definitely won’t be anyone coming here but I’m pretty sure City will do some business,” Ferguson told the club’s official magazine Inside United.

“You don’t talk about having all this money and then not use it. They’ll have plenty of ideas - the fact that they tried to buy four or five players in an hour on deadline day gives you an indication of what they want to do.

“But at the end of the day you can’t buy them all.

Partizan Belgrade have insisted they have not had any contact with Manchester United over Zoran Tosic or Adem Ljajic.

United are believed to be looking at both players with reports suggesting they have already agreed terms for Tosic which could also see Ljajic moving to Manchester.

Tosic is a current Serbian international and reports in England have claimed that Sir Alex Ferguson will be part of a United delegation that will attend a work-permit hearing this week over the left-winger.

The 21-year-old does not meet current work-permit criteria to play in the Premier League but, given he is valued at £8million, reports suggest United are trying to broker a permit for him.

However, Partizan sports director Ivan Tomic has stated that United have not signed either player, amid claims the European champions will try and strike a double deal.

United’s interest in Ljajic - another attacking midfielder - heralds from the fact he was on trial at Old Trafford earlier this season.

The 17-year-old is understood to have impressed, which has led to constant speculation that a move to United was in the pipeline.

“It is not true that Tosic and Ljajic have already signed for Manchester United,” Tomic said.

“It is simple, there has been no direct contact or official offer coming from England.

“Of course, it would be nice if they want some of our players, but it’s not true.”

Tosic has also continued to insist he knows nothing about a deal.

“I have nothing new to add on that subject, as I contacted my managers and they told me to keep my focus on playing and to stick to our mutual agreement which is that they will not inform me about anything until things move on to a much clearer situation,” Tosic told Vecernje Novosti.