Rene Adler a Manchester United target?

40 year old Edwin van der Sar is finally set to retire next summer and that is giving manager Alex Ferguson some headache, then who would and could replace the reliable Dutchman? Now a new (old) candidate has emerged in German international goalkeeper Rene Adler and what makes it really interesting is that Adler is a Manchester United fan since his childhood days and has a special release clause for only the Red Devils.

The list of potential new Man United goalkeepers include Dutch international Maarten Stekelenburg from Ajax Amsterdam, Germany's number one Manuel Neuer of FC Schalke 04, Atletico Madrid's young sensation David de Gea, FC Liverpool's Spanish keeper Pepe Reina and now Adler. In the meanwhile Ferguson has already signed Danish keeper Anders Lindegaard for 5 Million Euros from Norwegian club Aalesunds FK for January. But Lindegaard's signing is one for the future.

The nine time German international missed the 2010 FIFA World Cup due to injury, but along with Neuer he is part of the new wave of young German goalkeepers, who have been making a mark in the Bundesliga. And the special clause in his contract make him even more interesting for United for whom Adler surely would be a wise buy.

The clause was confirmed by Bayer 04 Leverkusen Managing Director Wolfgang Holzhauser saying, "It is an escape clause with a difference, because it only refers to one club. If United offer a certain amount, we have to let Rene go. He has always supported them, and he wanted to make sure the door was open, should they come calling. I know they have watched him quite a few times, so it may be difficult for us."

Adler has a contract at Bayer 04 Leverkusen running until 2012 and the release clause would allow him to leave Germany for a fee of 24 Million Euros in 2011 for Manchester United and with van der Sar retiring it would be the perfect time for him to make the switch to England, if the club wants him. Therefore Leverkusen's offer to extend Adler's contract is on hold until Manchester United sort their goalkeeper issue. If not Manchester United, then Adler will remain in Leverkusen.