Arsenal FC to rival Manchester United for Moussa Dembele and more transfer rumours

Arsenal reportedly the latest team to join Man Utd in the race for Lyon striker Moussa Dembele and more transfer gossip

Manchester United have been joined by rivals Arsenal in the race for Lyon striker Moussa Dembele, according to reports.

Although both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ed Woodward have warned that the upcoming transfer window will be unrecognisable from previous editions, M.E.N. Sport understands that United still intend to go ahead with their plans when the window reopens again.

While Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish and Jude Bellingham remain the priority targets a new striker may also be on the agenda this summer.

Although Odion Ighalo has been a surprise success on his loan spell from Shanghai Shenhua, and United hope to keep him for the rest of the season, there is currently no intention to sign him on a permanent basis and his departure would leave Solskjaer short on attacking options.

Dembele is an option the club has been considering to fill the void but, according L'Equipe, they have may have fallen behind Arsenal in the race for his signature.

It's reported that the Gunners have made contact with the 23-year-old's entourage as they seek out a potential replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has a year remaining on his contract and has not yet signed an extension.

M.E.N. Sport understands that United have yet to make any contact with Dembele, despite their admiration for the striker who has 22 goals to his name this season.

The report also states that United may now step up their interest and try and sign Dembele for a cut-price fee as a result of the coronavirus crisis, with Lyon failing to qualify for Europe following the cancellation of Ligue 1.

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Elsewhere, United are reportedly set to pass on the opportunity to sign Barcelona playmaker Philippe Countinho.

The Brazilian has failed to settle at the Camp Nou since his massive money move from Liverpool in 2018 and has spent this season on loan at Bayern Munich.

Coutinho hasn't been hugely successful in Germany, either, and it seems that Barca are keen to get his huge earnings off the wage bill.

ESPN claim that United have been given the chance to speak to the 27-year-old but have declined the opportunity.