Manchester United to battle Chelsea for French centre-back

Manchester United are reportedly prepared to go head-to-head with Chelsea in the race to sign defender Issa Diop from West Ham United this month.

The Red Devils recently picked up their first win of the calendar year as they registered a comfortable 4-0 triumph over Norwich City in the Premier League.

Despite this, they have been touted to land a new central defender this month particularly with the lack of consistency when it comes to the performances at the back.

According to The Mail, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants a strong competitor to Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire for the central defensive role and Diop has been identified as the prime transfer target.

It is added that the Red Devils are planning to make a £40m bid similar to the Blues but it is unclear whether the Hammers will consider sanctioning the player's sale at the midway stage of the season.

The Hammers had valued Diop is excess of £50m last summer but they are yet to place a price tag of the defender this month with new boss David Moyes reluctant to part ways with any player.