Manchester United and Arsenal are reportedly ready to go head-to-head to land Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare this summer.
The 21-year-old Frenchman enjoyed an impressive campaign for Lille last season and has been compared to Chelsea star N’Golo Kante.
Arsenal have already purchased Willian on a free transfer, while centre-half Gabriel Magalhaes has had a medical ahead of his proposed switch.
As for the Red Devils, they have endured a frustrating window thus far – with the chances of signing Jadon Sancho apparently over.
However, Foot Mercato, via the Daily Express, states that both clubs want to bring in ex-Newcastle target Soumare.
The report states that Manchester United’s league rivals are ‘clearly in the picture’ to secure his signature.
Manager Mikel Arteta is eyeing midfield reinforcements and will let a host of players leave, including Matteo Guendouzi.
But United are keen too, although the 21-year-old star is not a priority target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Premier League pair are not on their own in registering an interest, with AC Milan also keen.
Newcastle previously made a club-record offer to sign Soumare back in January, but are unlikely to revive their interest.
For their part, Les Dogues are reluctant to let another top asset leave, although a big offer may be too good to reject.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have allegedly been told that they need to up their bid to £36 million to land Douglas Costa this summer, The Sun reports.
The club have already tabled an offer of £27 million for the Juventus winger, having failed to make headway for Jadon Sancho.
The Red Devils may have already decided to move on from the Jadon saga and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is understood to have earmarked Costa as a more affordable variant.
