Man Utd hope to sign £45m star ahead of Arsenal as Solskjaer eyes double swoop

Managers are making plans ahead to the summer transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the globe. Today, Man Utd are linked with Arsenal target Nicolas Pepe….

Manchester United are plotting a move to sign £45m Arsenal target Nicolas Pepe as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer eyes a double swoop involving Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot, according to the Mirror.

Solskjaer is expected to be extremely active in the transfer market over the coming months as the United boss looks to build a squad capable of competing for major honours again after finishing sixth in the Premier League this season.

The Red Devils could do with more creativity going forward as the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Anthony Martial and Romelu Lukaku are being linked with moves away from Old Trafford following disappointing campaigns.

And it seems Solskjaer has already identified a prime target as the Mirror are reporting that Man Utd are plotting a £45m move to sign Lille forward Nicolas Pepe after scouting the player extensively throughout the past 12 months.

The 23-year-old has been a sensation in Ligue 1 this season having provided 20 goals and 11 assists in his 36 appearances and Lille owner Gerard Lopez has already confirmed interest from a number of English clubs.

The Mirror claims Arsenal are among those to have expressed an interest in signing Pepe this summer as Unai Emery looks to add to his attacking ranks with Danny Welbeck leaving the Emirates this summer.

PSG are also named as potential suitors but the newspaper says Man Utd are confident they can win the race to sign Pepe in a proposed £45m deal despite not being able to offer any Champions League football next season.

Pepe is known for his explosive pace and power and he can play up front as a striker or out on the right wing so his versatility would be a useful asset for Solskjaer if they were able to lure him to Old Trafford.

Man Utd are also reportedly in the market for another midfielder after Ander Herrera confirmed he’ll be leaving the club when his contract expires next month and the Mirror claim Rabiot has emerged as a potential target.

Rabiot came through the youth ranks at PSG and developed into one of the most exciting young talents in French football but he’s set to leave the Parc des Princes for nothing this summer and a host of clubs are being linked.

The 23-year-old has been frozen out of the PSG team since December after refusing to sign a new contract and he’ll be available on a free transfer this summer so the Frenchman would be an excellent piece of business for whoever wins the race for his signature.

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

The report says Solskjaer and United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward are eyeing a formal move to sign Rabiot and I think he’d be a superb replacement for Herrera if they could lure him to Old Trafford.