Manchester United enter race to sign N'Golo Kante amid Arsenal interest

Manchester United have stepped up their interest in Leicester City midfielder N'Golo Kante amid interest from the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. The midfielder was a key proponent in Leicester City's title triumph last season and started in France's 2-1 win over Romania in the European Championships in France.

The Mirror reports that Jose Mourinho is ready to meet his £22m ($31m) release clause and make him United's second signing of the summer, having already signed centre-back Eric Bailly from Villarreal. Arsenal were also reported to be interested in the Frenchman but Arsene Wenger is yet to make any concerted bid for the player and has instead turned his attention to his Leicester teammate Jamie Vardy.

Mourinho wants Kante to add more steel to his midfield, which currently has Morgan Schneiderlin as an enforcer in the middle of the park. He has also considered bringing Nemanja Matic to Old Trafford from Chelsea but would require some serious investment to turn him away from their league rivals.

Meanwhile, Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has urged Wenger to loosen his purse strings and sign the Frenchman as it will improve the Gunners squad by leaps and bounds. The north London club have already signed Granit Xhaka in that position but the manager has been a vocal admirer of Kante's qualities.

"I'm sure there's a lot of clubs looking at Kante — he's been superb for Leicester City," Parlour told Sky Sports.

"He's like two men in midfield with his work rate and the way he sets play up. You need that platform from midfield — he would be a great signing for Arsenal if they could get him.

"If he was in the Arsenal side, playing behind Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez, then Arsenal would have a formidable midfield. I'm sure if he's available then Arsene Wenger will definitely be interested in a player of his quality," he said.