Arsenal Transfer News: Wenger & Moyes Battle For Basel's Fabian Schar
Gunners and United battling for Swiss centre-half
Premier League champions Manchester United face a fight with current table toppers Arsenal for the signature of FC Basel's highly-rated Swiss centre back Fabian Schar.
The Daily Star confirmed on Friday that both Red Devils' manager David Moyes and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger want Schar to bolster their defences. Other top European clubs are also interested.
Schar and Basel teammate Mohamed Salah, who plays in attack for Egypt, have come to the attention of Arsenal, United and others after impressing displays in Europe against Spurs and Chelsea this year.
Three goals in World Cup qualifying from Schar helped Switzerland to reach the finals in Brazil next summer and made him top scorer for Ottmar Hitzfeld's side. Schar turned 22 on Friday and is under contract with Basel until June 2015.
Dimitrios Papadoopoulos, who represents the player, confirmed interest from teams in England, Germany and Italy. "He is happy at Basel, where there is a great atmosphere within the club," Schar's agent added.
Wenger may test the waters with a January bid as he is short of options in central defence following injury to Laurent Koscielny. The Gunners gaffer revealed he will be out for "for a while" after being stretchered off in the 6-3 defeat at Manchester City.
United meanwhile could see Rio Ferdinand, 35, retire at the end of the season when his deal at Old Trafford ends, according to The Independent.