Liverpool & Manchester United Set To Fight It Out For £30m Ex-Arsenal Star

Posted by

Former Gunner could make surprise Premier League return.

SEE ALSO: All the Premier League done deals so far.

Liverpool and Manchester United could be willing to spend around £30m on the signing of Real Sociedad forward Carlos Vela this summer, CaughtOffside understands.

The Mexican international was linked with a return to his old club Arsenal this summer, with the Gunners previously having a buy-back clause option on the player which could have seen him move back to the Emirates Stadium for just £3m, though the player was not interested in such a move.

Sociedad instead took up the option to buy out Arsenal’s buy-back clause option, signing Vela to a new contract with the club, with a much higher release clause of £30m now in place.

The 25-year-old’s fine form for Sociedad in recent times has now attracted interest from other top clubs, with his impressive record of 21 goals and 13 assists last season now seeing him become a top target for Liverpool and Manchester United.

Both sides appear willing to fork out the required amount to activate this clause, though it remains to be seen if the versatile attacker will be open to a move to England after previously rejecting the chance to re-join Arsenal.

Still, Liverpool are in the market for new attacking players after the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona this summer, and Vela’s ability to play either out wide or upfront appeals to Reds manager Brendan Rodgers.

Vela’s skillful style of play would also fit in well at Anfield, with Rodgers employing an attacking game based on technique and on-the-ball ability, though United could also provide stern competition for his signature.

The Red Devils are on the lookout for wingers this summer after some poor recent form from the likes of Ashley Young, Nani and Antonio Valencia, and Vela could be a good option to play on either flank.

With Louis van Gaal already having the likes of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie to choose from upfront, it seems unlikely that Vela would be used in that position, though he could operate further up the pitch in a 4-3-3 if the Dutch tactician chooses to use that formation.

A move to either Anfield or Old Trafford would certainly come as a blow to Arsenal after they failed to re-sign this top talent on the cheap, and he could join the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Bacary Sagna in former Gunners moving to their rivals this summer.

More Stories Arsenal FC Liverpool FC Manchester United FC