Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare will reportedly choose to join either Manchester United or Chelsea during the January transfer window.
Both clubs have been heavily linked with a move for the 20-year-old so far this month as they look to bolster their squad in an attempt to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League.
United are understood to see Soumare as a Paul Pogba-type figure who fits Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's desire for a box-to-box midfielder.
Sky Sports News reports that Arsenal have now pulled out of the running for the France Under-21 international, while Real Madrid and Valencia are also no longer thought to be interested.
United and Chelsea are the two remaining frontrunners for his signature, with both clubs already having held talks with Lille over a possible deal for the player.
Soumare, who has made 23 appearances across all competitions so far this season, has two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract at Lille.
Barney Corkhill
