Manchester United Transfer News: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sofiane Boufal Rumours

Manchester United's hopes of adding quality to their wings this summer have improved following developments in their pursuit of Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lille trickster Sofiane Boufal.

ESPN FC's Peter O'Rourke reported on Monday that a source close to Oxlade-Chamberlain revealed United have intensified their interest in the Arsenal misfit, who has struggled to feature at the Emirates Stadium this season.

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It's noted that Alex Iwobi's rise to prominence in recent months has only worsened Oxlade-Chamberlain's situation in north London, where he's mustered just nine Premier League starts in 2015-16.

The playmaker is closing in on a return to fitness after suffering a knee injury in February, and Bleacher Report's Dean Jones provided further details on United's interest in Oxlade-Chamberlain:

United have their own list of players offering wing competition at Old Trafford, but the flagging form of Memphis Depay has seen puppeteer Juan Mata fielded out wide for much of the Red Devils' campaign.

Injury hasn't helped Oxlade-Chamberlain's cause this season, but Fanatix recently provided evidence that Iwobi, 19, is making better use of the minutes he's receiving this term:

United may well be open to reinforcing their wide areas, and at just 22 years of age, former Southampton starlet Oxlade-Chamberlain is an asset who still has time ahead of him to fulfil his potential.

Their pursuit of the Arsenal fringe player may also rest on the future of the faltering Depay, who has become subject to interest from West Ham United and Liverpool, according to Italian outlet TransferMarketWeb (h/t Metro's Daniel Matthews).

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United may consider Boufal a realistic target as well after he opened up on his chances of one day moving away from northern France, with no priorities on his next destination.

According to Charlie Philippe of the Daily Express, the Lille forward doesn't want to "fly too close to the sun" too early in his career:

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Every player wants to go as far as possible. I think it would be good if Lille could finish in a European place, then later we’ll think about my future. Will I leave? The club has made a statement to that effect, there’s no problem with it, that’s their right.

I have no preference for one League, it’s the project which will interest me. Yes, it’s true that there’s more chance I’ll leave Lille [than stay], that’s clear. After that my personal goal is to progress, I need time to play. I don’t want to fly too close to the sun.

I’m not excluding any option right now, I love this club and city. Everything is here to progress, I wouldn’t mind staying. I’ll take my time to decide well, I’ll have a good talk with my family.

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The 22-year-old has scored 12 goals in 33 appearances for Lille this season and perked up the interest of his suitors with a hat-trick display in his side's recent 4-2 win over Ajaccio.

Philippe added that Boufal has been compared to Leicester City marvel Riyad Mahrez following his performances out wide this term, and United may hope the young gun can have a similar effect in the Premier League.