Sir Alex Ferguson's efforts to re-establish Manchester United as equals of Real Madrid will focus on luring Pavel Nedved from Juventus. The Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson is also a target for the Old Trafford manager in what promises to be a summer of extensive recruitment.

With speculation mounting that David Beckham will move to Real Madrid for £30m, next season's United team could have a strikingly different look.

Mino Raiola, Nedved's agent, has received two phone calls in the last month from a senior United official, believed to be the chief executive Peter Kenyon. Raiola told United that his client is settled in Turin but, citing the examples of Zinedine Zidane and Roberto Baggio, is also aware that the chief executive Antonio Giraudo and the general manager Luciano Moggi have made it clear any player is available if the money is right.

Nedved's representatives believe a deal can be struck if United offer close to the £26m Juventus paid Lazio for the Czech midfielder two summers ago. Raiola says Barcelona have also expressed interest. Ferguson tried to sign Nedved two years ago but the board were not prepared to meet Lazio's valuation and it was Juan Sebastian Veron who moved from the same club to Old Trafford. United's board would still be reluctant to pay over £20m for a player who will be 31 in August, but the income from a Beckham sale might ease the deal.

Ferguson will be disappointed if the inquiries come to nothing. After United had beaten Juventus at Old Trafford in February, he enthused about Nedved's display, pointing out how Marcello Lippi repeatedly summoned the Czech to pass on instructions. "He's the main man of that team," said Ferguson.

One option that would appeal to Juventus is for Ryan Giggs to be offered as bait. Ferguson is also confident of signing Damien Duff from Blackburn and Nedved's ability to play either on the left wing or just behind the attack would cover the loss of Giggs, whose reputation in Italy does not seem to have been harmed by his erratic form this season.

Negotiating with Leeds for Robinson should be more straightforward. After Rio Ferdinand's controversial trans-Pennine switch, the directors at Elland Road know the animosity it will cause among their fans. But this is a small consideration given that the club's £80m debts make it imperative they sell at least two high-profile players this summer.

Ferguson's reservations about Fabien Barthez's form were compounded by the Frenchman's poor display against Real Madrid on Wednesday, although United had already made their interest in Robinson known to the player's advisers. They believe he should be available for about £8m. Ferguson should also be encouraged by the disclosure that Robinson grew up as a United fan, something he has tried to keep a secret from Leeds supporters.

Robinson, viewed as David Seaman's long-term England successor, has been hawked around a number of other clubs, most notably Arsenal. However, Arsène Wenger seems more interested in Rustu Recber, Fenerbahce's Turkey international, available on a free transfer this summer.

Ferguson was planning a hectic summer of transfer activity even before Real emphasised how much United must improve if the manager is to recapture the European Cup.

Robinson looks like being the first arrival, a move that is almost certain to precipitate Barthez's departure, and it is not impossible Harry Kewell will follow him from Leeds if Ferguson cannot get Duff.

Ronaldinho's name keeps being brought up but the 23-year-old Brazilian, under contract to Paris St-Germain until 2006, would prefer a move to Italy. And PSG have had no contact from Old Trafford.

One certainty is that Ferguson also wants another centre-half to cover Laurent Blanc's retirement and he has spoken at length with Nottingham Forest's manager Paul Hart about the England Under-21 defender Michael Dawson, also coveted by Liverpool.

If Forest fail to win promotion they will be under pressure to sell, and, even if they do go up, it is questionable whether a club of their resources could reject a £8m offer. One suggestion was that Dawson could go to Old Trafford and then be loaned back for a season, but Ferguson now seems to have cooled on that idea.