Manchester United lead race to sign Jean-Michael Seri

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Manchester United lead the race to sign Nice midfielder Jean-Michael Seri
Jose Mourinho views the Ivorian as a long-term replacement for Michael Carrick
Seri is also interesting Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool this month

Published: 04:18 EDT, 19 January 2018 | Updated: 05:29 EDT, 19 January 2018

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Manchester United are looking to steal a march on their Premier League rivals as they lead the race to sign £35m Nice ace Jean-Michael Seri.

The 26-year-old Ivorian is attracting interest from Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City but according to the Mirror, Jose Mourinho's side are now in pole position for the midfielder's signature.

Seri's performances for Nice have seen him courted by Europe's elite and the midfielder was said to have been left in tears after a summer move to Barcelona collapsed.

Manchester United are leading the race to sign Ivorian Nice midfielder Jean-Michael Seri

Seri has gained Premier League interest from United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City

Interest in Seri continues to accelerate as his contract, which has 18 months left to run, includes a £35m release clause which offers real affordability in the current transfer market.

And with United preparing for 36-year-old Michael Carrick's retirement at the end of the season, Mourinho believes Seri can fill the void left in central-midfield.

Manchester City are themselves looking to replace fellow Ivorian Yaya Toure while Chelsea continue to have major reservations about summer signing Tiemoue Bakayoko who joined from Monaco.

Seri is viewed by Jose Mourinho as a long-term replacement for veteran Michael Carrick

United are looking to announce their first signing of the January transfer window on Friday in Alexis Sanchez as Mourinho targets reinforcements ahead of a crucial second half of the season.

The club remain in the FA Cup, Champions League and have refused to stop chasing down league leaders and rivals Manchester City in the Premier League.