Manchester United Set to Beat City in Signing Arsenal Defender Bacary Sagna - Report

Manchester United are considering a shock move in signing Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna in the summer transfer window, according to the Daily Mail.

The 31-year-old is a free agent after refusing to sign a contract extension, despite Arsene Wenger expressing his desire to keep the right-back at the Emirates. He was part of the starting XI to defeat Hull City 3-2 in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday.

The report claims Louis van Gaal will be the next manager at Old Trafford and the Dutchman has set his sights on Sagna. United currently have Rafael da Silva as the first choice right-back, with Phil Jones and Chris Smalling also being deployed in that position over the past few years.

The former Barcelona and Bayer Munich manager wants to bring in Sagna to provide competition to Rafael. The Arsenal star wants to sort out his future before he leaves for the World Cup in Brazil with the France national team.

The same report claims United's neighbours Manchester City have already opened talks with Sagna for a free transfer to the Etihad. The Citizens are preparing a four-year contract for the French international, which will see him earn £100,000-per-week.

Van Gaal wants to make a statement by stealing Sagna from City, but is aware the Etihad club are still favourites to sign the Gunners' man. However, they have Pablo Zabaleta in the right-back position and the Argentine has established himself in that slot.

United's interest could possibly make Sagna consider their offer as he is aware a switch to City will see him fight with Zabaleta for first team action.

Earlier in April, Wenger admitted the contract talks had stalled and hinted that Sagna could leave the club on a free transfer.

"At the moment, the talks are not progressing. We know what we want from him, he knows what is on the table, and that's where we are," Wenger explained.

Yes [I am now less confident about Sagna staying at the Emirates]. The ball is not in our camp any more. It is in his camp, and he needs to come back to us."