Manchester United prepare to strengthen midfield with move for Blaise Matuidi

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi is keen on moving to the Premier League with Manchester United among the plethora of teams interested in his services, according to the Daily Mirror.

The midfielder was the standout player for PSG in their 1-1 draw against Chelsea in the first leg of the round of 16 tie of the Champions League. However, the report states that a fee in the range of £25m will tempt the French side, especially with FFP regulations blocking their path to further acquisitions.

United will have to face competition from local rivals Manchester City, who have also expressed an interest but with the fair play regulations at force, United are favourites for his signature given their increased commercial revenue.

Matuidi is among the best box-to-box midfielders to ply in Europe and will be a brilliant successor for Yaya Toure at City, who has failed to live up to expectations this season.

The Ivorian is entering his mid-thirties and has failed to influence the game in any way against Liverpool, where they succumbed to a 2-1 loss, owing to two brilliant goals from Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho.

Meanwhile, United have struggled to find a midfield enforcer and were linked with a move for Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman in January which failed to materialise owing to injury concerns. Louis van Gaal has made strengthening his midfield his top priority for the summer with Matuidi being among his top targets for a move.

The Dutchman currently has Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick and Daley Blind to fill up that position but wants someone with more versatility and perseverance to fill that role and screen his back four, while making darting runs through the middle.

The Red Devils face Arsenal at Old Trafford in the quarter finals of the Cup on Monday, where a loss will put their trophy dreams to bed for the season.