Man Utd Open Talks To Hijack Arsenal’s Move For £25m-Rated Midfielder

As the opening of the summer transfer window approaches, managers are working hard identifying targets and lining-up potential deals so we’ll bring you all the news and gossip. Today, Man Utd are linked with Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin….

Manchester United are trying to hijack Arsenal’s attempts to sign Morgan Schneiderlin this summer after making enquiries about the £25m-rated Southampton midfielder, according to reports.

Schneiderlin has just come off the back of another impressive season at St Mary’s with his consistent displays in the middle of the park seeing Ronald Koeman’s men narrowly miss out of qualifying for the Europa League.

The French international is now expected to finally make a move to a top four team after the Saints refused to let him leave the club last summer and Schneiderlin told reporters last week that he wants to remain in England and join a club playing in the Champions League.

‘Yes, I think my decision is made. I learned a lot last season. The goal is to stay in England. It is a championship that I like and where I have a lot of fun. If I leave Southampton, it is for a club that plays better than the Europa League.

‘There are ongoing discussions but nothing is done. But of course the Champions League is my goal. If I leave Southampton it will be for a club in the Champions League.

‘I have a two-year contract. If a club pays the right amount for me, it will be time to leave.

‘The amount? I have no idea but I will not leave for a small price. Southampton is known to be a good seller club, the price should be high enough.’ Schneiderlin is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail

Arsenal have long been linked with a move for Schneiderlin and widespread reports suggest that Arsene Wenger has made the 25-year-old one of his key transfer targets, with some speculation even claiming that the North Londoners have agreed personal terms with the midfielder.

However, it appears the Gunners are now going to face stiff competition as the Daily Mail are citing reports coming out of France which claim that Manchester United are now trying to hijack Arsenal’s proposed deal.

The paper suggests that United have already made firm enquiries over Schneiderlin’s situation and have now put themselves in pole position to wrap-up a deal for the midfielder this summer.

It’s important to point out that no formal offers have been put on the table as yet but the Daily Mail claim that Southampton will demand a fee in the region of £25m for Schneiderlin’s signature.

It remains to be seen whether United or Arsenal will be willing to match that figure but Schneiderlin would be an excellent addition for either club if one of them could pull it off this summer.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

United are in desperate need of another deep-lying midfielder as they’ve been far too reliant on Michael Carrick and with the 33-year-old struggling with injuries this past year, Schneiderlin would be a top class replacement with plenty of Premier League experience.

However, I wouldn’t discount Arsenal from the race just yet. Wenger also needs midfield reinforcements as Mikel Arteta, Abou Diaby and Mathieu Flamini are all being tipped to leave the club this summer and the Gunners boss needs competition for Francis Coquelin in the holding role.