Arsenal and United in fight for Montpellier star

Arsenal and Manchester United face a fight to sign Montpellier defender Mapou Yang-Mbiwa, as Borussia Monchengladbach are ready to make a bid.

A report by talkSPORT claims both Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson want the 22-year-old, but may now have to compete with the Bundesliga side for his signature.

Yanga-Mbiwa captain’s the Ligue 1 side and has been impressive in leading them to within a point of the French title, something that has not gone unnoticed by those from Old Trafford and Emirates Stadium, though Newcastle United are reportedly interested as well.

The central defender has only a year left on his current Montpellier contract and could start a bidding war as the Gunners and Red Devils try to fight off the interest from Gladbach, who have gone into the qualifiers for the Champions League next season after surprisingly finishing fourth.

Yanga-Mbiwa’s performances this year have earned him a call-up into Laurent Blanc’s preliminary squad for France’s Euro 2012 campaign, where they will face England in Group D.