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Transfer News: Bitter rivals join Man Utd in pursuit of prolific Ligue 1 striker

Manchester United and Arsenal to battle for Olympique Lyonnais striker Moussa Dembele.
Manchester United and Arsenal to battle for Olympique Lyonnais striker Moussa Dembele. (Image Credits: Getty Images)

Manchester United and Arsenal to battle for Olympique Lyonnais striker Moussa Dembele

According to Footmercato (h/t Sports Mole), Arsenal are interested in signing Manchester United target Moussa Dembele. It is believed that the Red Devils are set to send scouts to view the French striker in action when Olympique Lyonnais take on Porto in the second leg of their last 16 UEFA Europa League tie.

The 25-year-old has impressed this season netting 10 goals and bagging three assists in 23 matches across all competitions for the Ligue 1 club. He has been a dependable option for the French club over the last few seasons.

It is believed that the Red Devils view the French striker as a replacement to Edinson Cavani as things stand. The former Fulham player could go on to replace the Uruguayan international who is set to leave the club at the end of June.

It is thought that the Gunners will be in the market for a new forward in the coming transfer window and Dembele could be viewed as a substantial target. The Red Devils will therefore have to act swiftly if they are seriously interested in striking a deal for the 25-year-old.

Manchester United and Arsenal to battle for Olympique Lyonnais striker Moussa Dembele.
Transfer News: Arsenal join Manchester United in pursuit of Moussa Dembele

Fresh legs in the striking department

The Mancunian club does have some highly experienced names such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani in their striking department. That being said, the striking duo is well into their 30s and has struggled to consistently match the intensity that is demanded by Ralf Rangnick.

The club could thus do well to add a young exciting striker to their ranks at Old Trafford. Dembele perfectly fits this bill and could help future proof the attacking department. While Man Utd does have the option of Anthony Martial who is currently out on loan at Sevilla, he has openly admitted that he lost his love for football at the Old Trafford outfit.

In such circumstances, Manchester United could look to Moussa Dembele as their knight in shining armour to add some more impetus going forward. At 25, the former Fulham player could still provide us with some of the best footballing years of his life, should a deal take place.

Manchester United and Arsenal to battle for Olympique Lyonnais striker Moussa Dembele. (Photo by SEBASTIEN SALOM-GOMIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Moussa Dembele has been impressive for Olympique Lyonnais this season. (Photo by SEBASTIEN SALOM-GOMIS/AFP via Getty Images)

While this could be a step in the right direction, there is still a long way to go for the Mancunian club if they are to rediscover past glories. Their lack of inconsistency has been appalling and a shift in mentality seems like the biggest requirement at the moment.

The North Londoners on the other hand have slowly got their act together and are currently fourth in the Premier League table. Mikel Arteta’s men sit a place above the Red Devils with a gap of one point and two games in hand.

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The Gunners could make a good claim for UEFA Champions League qualification for the 2022-23 season. This coupled with the Spanish manager’s willingness to put faith in youngsters could help tilt the balance in their favour slightly.

Thus the interest of our bitter rivals could be a nuisance if we are serious about getting a deal over the line. Only time will tell whether or not we are able to hijack a deal but it certainly won’t be an easy one considering the recent developments.

Written by Glenn Fernandes

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