Exclusive: Arsenal or Manchester United Deal for Lucas Biglia 'Unlikely'

The representative of Anderlecht playmaker Lucas Biglia believes a move to the Premier League this month, amid rumoured intent from Arsenal and their Premier League rivals Manchester United, is unlikely given the limited timeframe his Belgian club would have to find a suitable replacement.

While refusing to comment specifically on Arsenal and Manchester United, Frederick Matthies, who is part of the Marc Brix Sports Group that looks after the interests of Biglia, confirmed a host of clubs are interested in the highly rated Argentine international, and not exclusively in the Premier League.

Reports in Belgian publication RTBF Sport on Wednesday suggested Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and his Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger are leading contenders for the 25-year-old's signature, but Anderlecht have attached a €15 million fee to the player in a bid to retain his services beyond January.

The patently talented playmaker joined the Belgium Premier League side in 2006 and has since emerged as one of the most impressive players in the division. He is contracted to the club until 2015 and therefore any purported endeavour to sign Biglia, either from Arsenal or Manchester United, may prove a thankless task this month, as Anderlecht look to drive up his valuation in an effort to keep him.

Matthies confirmed his client is currently recovering from a shoulder injury that would by no means scupper a potential move to one of his aforementioned suitors, but intimated Arsenal and Manchester United would struggle to sign the former Independiente star in this window.

"At the moment there is a lot of interest, not only in England, but all around Europe, but we have to see if there is going to be a move in January." Matthies told The International Business Times UK, when asked on British reports citing interest from Manchester United and Arsenal. "I don't think there is going to be a move in January, that would be unlikely.

"He is going to be back in February from a shoulder injury. A move does not depend on the injury but more about the amount of time to find a replacement.

"(Manchester United and Arsenal interest) It's just speculation."

Biglia was a mainstay of the Argentina squad that won the 2005 Under-20 World Cup and in addition to attracting interest from Manchester United and Arsenal, both of whom have perceived weaknesses in their midfield; the Anderlecht star has been associated with moves to Fiorentina and Juventus.