According to the Metro, Man United and Arsenal are set to go head to head in a transfer tug of war over Lyon striker Moussa Dembele in the summer.
The same report claims that Dembele is on United’s shortlist, with Ole Gunnar Solskjær keen to bolster his attack with the addition of a new striker. Arsenal manager Unai Emery is reportedly a long-term admirer of the Frenchman and wants to make a move for him this summer.
The Metro also reports that Romelu Lukaku is open to leaving Man United at the end of the season and Dembele has been lined up as a potential alternative to the Belgian at Old Trafford.
Dembele helped Celtic claim back-to-back domestic trebles before completing a £19.7 million switch to Lyon last summer and has made an instant impact in France this season, scoring 19 goals in all competitions.
His prolific form has attracted attention from the Premier League duo and a move back to England looks very much on the cards for the French youth international.
A product of PSG’s youth system, Dembele rose to prominence as a teenager with Fulham and established himself as a bona-fide goalscorer in the Championship. He was tipped to achieve big things ever since his days at the youth and reserve level and his fruitful spells at Fulham, Lyon and Celtic underline his development into one of Europe’s finest young strikers.
To put things into perspective, Dembele would be a welcome addition to both Arsenal and Man United but the Red Devils should look to beat off competition from their Premier League rivals and aim to have the final say in this transfer saga.
The 22-year-old is yet to enter his prime but he has already shown strong signs of excellence at the highest level.
Man United stayed in contention for a top-four finish with a well-deserved 2-1 victory over West Ham in the Premier League.
With the second leg of the Champions League quarter finals against Barcelona and the local derby against Man City coming up, the Red Devils have plenty to play for in the dying stages of the campaign.
Solskjaer has done ever so well to inspire the team to the last 8 of the Champions League and the fans should be happy with a top-four finish in the Premier League, particularly after getting off to a disastrous start.
United should look to build a squad capable of challenging for silverware on all fronts and a new striker should certainly be high on Solskjaer’s wishlist for the summer.
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have done exceedingly well under the Norwegian’s philosophy which demands the players to link up with one another, move the ball around quickly and hit the opposition on the break. The Red Devils need some fast, agile and skilful strikers to comply with Solskjaer’s system and Moussa Dembele certainly fits the bill.
Noted for his pace, technique, dribbling and eye for goal, Dembele not only has the ability to beat the opposition with his pace and trickery on the ball but he also knows how to find time and space inside the penalty area to have a crack on goal.
The Frenchman can open up stubborn defences with his quick feet and subtle movement off the ball, while also being a genuine threat in the air due to his ability to get off the ground quickly and time his jump to perfection.
Furthermore, he can also link up with his teammates and has a penchant for creating chances with his innovative passing.
Dembele is not yet the finished product but he is exactly what Man United need in the summer to add more depth and firepower to their attack.
The Red Devils should not hesitate to offload the likes of Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez to accommodate fresh faces as both of them have not quite lived up to their billing at Old Trafford.
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Dembele has enjoyed a good first season at Lyon and the French giants are unlikely to let him go on the cheap. United might have to spend a fortune to bring him to the club but he can turn out to be a useful long-term servant at Old Trafford.