Manchester United have been priced out of a move for Valencia's Roberto Ayala after being informed they would have to find about £23 million sterling for the Argentina defender.

United yesterday distanced themselves from reports in the Spanish media that Valencia had turned down an offer of £10.5 million. No bid has been made, but United did quote that figure during preliminary negotiations with Ayala's agent Fernando Hidalgo, only to cool their interest after signing Laurent Blanc.

Hidalgo contacted United at the weekend to inquire if they were still interested in the 28-year-old. After receiving what has been described as "tentative interest", but without any real encouragement, Hidalgo went back to Valencia and told them that unless they improved Ayala's wages he had a potential buyer.

In any case, Valencia are keen to keep one of their most valuable players and consider him worth more than twice United's valuation.

Meanwhile, captain Roy Keane has tried to take the title spotlight off Manchester United by claiming rivals Leeds, Liverpool and Arsenal are better placed to win the championship.

But Keane could not disguise his satisfaction at the club's recent turn of fortune. "We're going along nicely and if we are there or thereabouts come April, then hopefully the experience of winning the championship over the last three years will help us and no doubt it will," he said on MUTV.

"I think whoever finishes above us will have a great chance of winning the league, but we're in with a shout."