MANCHESTER UNITED are “increasingly confident” of landing £60m Lyon striker Moussa Dembele, according to reports.
It is understood that the Frenchman has made it clear to the Red Devils that he would prefer a move to Old Trafford amid interest from Chelsea.
According to the Daily Star, the Red Devils are optimistic of landing Dembele, after the Ligue 1 ace indicated that he is keen to pursue a move to the club.
The ex-Fulham star, 23, has scored 16 times in 27 French top-flight matches this season.
Dembele’s scintillating form has prompted Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to send scouts three times in the last six months to keep a close eye on him.
The Lyon marksman is also high up on the Blues’ summer wishlist, with boss Frank Lampard keen to bolster his attacking options once the window re-opens.
Chelsea made a failed bid in the January transfer window with the French club not willing to sell half way through the campaign.
But Lyon’s president has admitted he may be forced to cash in this time given the financial uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus crisis.
They are also threatening legal action as they have missed out on European football for the first time in 23 years after finishing in seventh-place when Ligue 1 was axed.
President Jean-Michel Aulas fears the club could lose their most prized assets, which include Dembele, if they cannot offer the prospect of starring on the European stage.
He told French publication Le Progres: “I am going to do everything to keep the players.
“But players who are programmed to play in Europe could want to go elsewhere because we don’t have European football.”
Ed Woodward recently cast doubt over megabucks summer transfers, but United are said to remain in a strong enough financial position to outbid the Blues for Dembele.
The Red Devils have failed to replace Romelu Lukaku when he left for Inter Milan last summer, and are in need of a frontman with Odion Ighalo wanted back by Shanghai Shenhua when his Old Trafford deal expires at the end of this month.
