Manchester United have already spent heavily this summer to bring Romelu Lukaku, Victor Lindelof and Nemanja Matic to Old Trafford but it seems Jose Mourinho’s spending is far from done in the current window.

The Red Devils have started the season in fantastic form, smashing both West Ham and Swansea City 4-0 in the opening weeks of the campaign, though they’re yet to be fully be tested against a top-class side.

Mourinho’s quest for an attack-minded winger has been well publicised, with the Red Devils heavily linked to the services of Inter Milan ace Ivan Perisic, but it seems the club has changed it’s approach in recent weeks and is now ready to hand a huge blow to a Premier League rival.

Just as Manchester United have been public with their intentions in the summer transfer market, Arsenal have been equally vocal with their intentions to sign Monaco ace Thomas Lemar- although a deal taking the French international to North London seems dead due to the French champions’ asking price.

That doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be staying put in the French principality though and it’s now claimed Manchester United lead the chase for the 21-year-old starlet, according to a report cited by The Manchester Evening News. 

Journalist Ian McGarry has claimed Manchester United are now leading the chase for the highly-versatile attacker, in comments made to The Transfer Window Podcast:

“I’d say Manchester United are in the driving seat right now (for Lemar). I think Wenger was depending on the whole French connection at Arsenal, bringing in a player who obviously has played for the (French) national team with Giroud, Lacazette, Koscielny and others.”

“But they haven’t got the deal over the line yet and they’ve been trying for six weeks. And if Manchester United did come in with the right offer and the right contract and the charm and charisma of Jose Mourinho telling a player how he’ll play, where he’ll play as he does.”

Lemar has started all three of Monaco’s opening games in their Ligue 1 title defence, securing one assist, and the champions are desperate for him to remain at the club. However, they may find it difficult to fend off Manchester United’s interest.