Video Evidence: Gabriel Obertan (Manchester United)

Rumours are rapidly circulating that Sir Alex Ferguson is set to make his second surprise move in the transfer market by targetting the relatively unknown talent of Bordeaux’s 20-year-old striker Gabriel Obertan.

French newspaper L’Equipe broke the story this Monday, backing up their whispers with quotes from Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud saying “it’s actually a great opportunity, we would love to see Gabriel evolve at such a club.”

According to the French paper an agreement between the Red Devils and Bordeaux has been in place for the last few weeks, as the English champions look to sign a player who is also reportedly being eyed by Inter Milan, AC Milan and Arsenal.

Several years back, when Obertan was just 17-years-old, rumours linking the attacker with a move to the Premier League began doing the rounds. Back then Obertan was quoted as saying “I was not attracted (by Chelsea or Manchester United). To leave and not play would be useless. First I want to make a name for myself in France, and then go to Italy or Spain. Milan would be very classy. There is such a history at that club. But I am more than happy at Bordeaux at the moment.”

With a Ligue 1 championship now under his belt at Les Girondins, it now looks like Obertan maybe set to leave France in an effort to establish himself at the higher level of European football. Of particular importance, Obertan is looking to find himself a club in which he can develop not only off the pitch but also on it.

Having broken into Bordeaux’s first team back in the 2006-07 season, Obertan has consistently found himself on the fringes of the first-team in Brittany, without ever truly cementing himself a place in the first team.

Last term Obertan found himself shipped out to Lorient for the second half of the season in order to gain more playing time. Finding a club in which Obertan can push on and develop is now of paramount importance for the attacker.

Obertan has the ability to stretch opposition defences with his searing pace and nifty footwork. Switching wings regularly, rather than a conventional striker who plays through the middle, Obertan is seen more as a supporting forward rather than a forward able to play up-top on his lonesome.

Video evidence of Gabriel Obertan can be seen here.