N'Golo Kante
Kante has been one of the outstanding players of the season in the Premier League Getty Images

Manchester United are preparing a deal to sign N'Golo Kante in the summer and have earmarked their game against the champions-elect at Old Trafford on Sunday, 1 May where they will open negotiations with the player over a possible transfer. The Red Devils are in the market for a midfielder and believe that Kante would be a brilliant addition to the squad as they look to return to title winning ways next season.

Goal reports that Sir Alex Ferguson is a huge fan of the Frenchman and has told the board that they would do well to sign the player in the upcoming transfer window, especially with a lot of clubs likely to be vying for his signature. Kante's performance has earned him a spot in the PFA Team of the Year and the player could be available for as low as £20m ($29m), with a buy-out clause reportedly in his contract.

The Red Devils are reportedly unwilling to embroil in a bidding war with another club for Kante, but have kept aside up to £30m ($44m) to sign the 25-year-old if need be. United are also willing to offer Leicester the Brazilian midfielder Andreas Pereira on loan, with the Foxes having expressed an interest in signing the player.

United are currently fifth in the league, five points adrift of Arsenal and Manchester City for a place in the top four, having also booked a place in the finals of the FA Cup in the coming month. Louis van Gaal's men will take on Crystal Palace in the finals in a bid to end their three-year drought without a trophy.

Winning the FA Cup would also give a lifeline to Van Gaal, who is under pressure after failing to put in a title challenge and has been heavily linked with a move out of the club. Jose Mourinho is the favourite to take over from the Dutchman, with reports stating that the Portuguese man has already agreed a deal to take over at Old Trafford.

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