MANCHESTER UNITED and Manchester City are set for another head-to-head transfer battle – this time over £35million-rated Nice midfielder Jean-Michael Seri.
After Manchester United had gazumped neighbours Manchester City over Alexis Sanchez, both clubs have both made enquiries about Ivory Coast international Seri.
United will lose both Michael Carrick, who is retiring, and Marouane Fellaini, who becomes a free agent, this summer, while City need a replacement for Yaya Toure, who will leave the Etihad at the end of his contract.
Seri, 26, is regarded as a one of the best value midfielders in Europe and carries the added bonus that he is not cup-tied for the Champions league this season.
United and City are understood to be willing to meet his £35m release clause and his representatives are on stand-by to fly to Manchester to negotiate a deal with whichever club makes the first move.
Seri was linked with a move this summer with offers from both Barcelona and PSG, but he ended up staying at Nice, who finished third in Ligue 1 last season.
But they are down in sixth this year with Mario Balotelli likely to leave and Seri could be on the move too.
United and City are also both in the running for Shakhtar Donetsk ace Fred, but he may cost around £50m.
City are closing in on a deal for Aymeric Laporte and are ready to pay his £53m buyout clause and bring him to the Etihad before next Wednesday's transfer deadline.
City are yet to make a signing this month after missing out on both Virgil van Dijk and Sanchez but remain determined to do some business going into the second half of the season.
With Gabriel Jesus not far off a return midfield and defence is the priority with fears over Vincent Company's long-term fitness and with Fernandinho 33 in the summer.