Man Utd join Man City in chase for Germany hotshot

Germany international Marco Reus is reportedly a target for Manchester United  – who are now 9/2 to retain the Premier League title – after the 24-year-old’s flying start to the season at Borussia Dortmund.

The attacking-midfielder has scored seven goals in 11 Bundesliga appearances this term and pitched in with a further three strikes in cup competitions for BVB.

Dortmund are scrambling to give Reus a new contract amid rumours of imminent bids from three Premier League giants.

United’s neighbours Manchester City are also thought to be keeping tabs on the player, who has scored seven goals in 17 appearances for Germany since his international debut in 2011.

Arsenal are another club who are keen on the former Borussia Monchengladbach man, who is thought to have a similar release clause in his contract to the one that allowed Mario Gotze to swap the Westfalenstadion for Bayern Munich in a £31m deal over the summer.

According to reports in Germany, Reus’ contract situation may not be as clear cut as fellow Die Mannschaft midfielder Gotze, but David Moyes believes he has a (not so) secret negotiating weapon in the form of Shinji Kagawa.

Kagawa has featured prominently for Moyes in recent matches, but there is still a sense at Old Trafford that the 24-year-old will never fully realise his undoubted potential in the north west.

Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp has expressed his desire to bring the Japan star back to the Bundesliga on a number of occasions.

The forthright coach declared himself heartbroken that Kagawa – who Klopp described as ‘one of the best players in the world’ – was used sparingly and on the left-wing in Sir Alex Ferguson’s last season at Old Trafford, as opposed to his preferred number 10 role.

If Kagawa became available as part of a swap deal with Reus – who is just two months younger than the United playmaker – then Klopp could be persuaded to do business with the Premier League champions.