MANCHESTER United are 'close' to landing a key member of Southampton's squad, according to reports this morning.

Canal+ in France suggests that Louis van Gaal is close to securing the services of Morgan Schneiderlin.

The French midfielder has previously said he would only leave Saints for a team in the Champions League, and would prefer to stay in England.

Arsenal have long been linked with the international, but now the Old Trafford side are said to have jumped to the head of the queue.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are said to have their sights on Toby Alderweireld.

He was a lynchpin of Saints' defence in the season just ended, but Atletico Madrid are expected to exercise their right to cancel Southampton's agreed fee to sign him permanently.

If they do, they will owe Saints somewhere in the region of £1.5m - although they will more than cover that with any bidding war for the player's services after his impressive season.