Liverpool are reportedly leading the race to sign Jean Michael Seri, who is also being targeted by Arsenal and Manchester United for a summer move.
According to a report by The Sun, Liverpool have stormed ahead in the race to sign Jean Michael Seri from OGC Nice in the summer transfer window. The Ivorian midfielder is also being pursued for a move by Arsenal and Manchester United.
Seri has continued to go from strength to strength after a breakthrough campaign in Ligue 1 with OGC Nice last season, when he played a key role in the side’s third-placed league finish. While the French Riviera outfit hasn’t managed to replicate its exploits from 2016-17, the player’s stock has only been on the ascendancy.
A return of a goal and six assists in 32 appearances is not exactly prolific, but Seri has been at the forefront of everything going forward for his side. So, as the 26-year-old continues his impressive development, a Premier League move seems to be on the horizon, with Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal interested in him.
At Liverpool, the summer arrival of Naby Keita is set to be offset by the departure of Emre Can. With James Milner in the twilight of his career and Jordan Henderson persistently struggling for fitness, the need to sign a tenacious and creative midfielder has accentuated, making Seri a viable target.
Manchester United, on the other hand, are set to see Marouane Fellaini exit Old Trafford on a free transfer in the summer. On top of that, Michael Carrick will hang up his boots at the end of the season as well, leaving Jose Mourinho with just four central midfielders at his disposal, notwithstanding Paul Pogba’s uncertain future.
Should Pogba stay at Manchester United though, Seri’s arrival could just bring the best out of the Frenchman as the player would enable him to have more freedom. Meanwhile, Arsenal hold a long-standing interest in the player.
With the club set to have another revamp in the summer after a failed 2017-18 campaign, a midfielder seems to be priority. However, Arsenal already boast players with similar abilities as Seri, making the interest in the Ivorian slightly baffling as a defensive midfielder should seemingly be a priority.
Nevertheless, Seri remains a target for Arsenal, although they have fallen behind Liverpool in the race to sign the player. The Reds are pulling no stops in pursuit of the Ivory Coast international, and are willing to pay his £35 million release clause to secure his services.
Manchester United, on the other hand, are not convinced by his price tag, and might set their sights elsewhere. It now remains to be seen if Arsenal can do anything to jump ahead of Liverpool in pursuit of Seri, whose future seems destined to be in the Premier League for now.
