Gabriel Obertan Next Manchester United ★★Star★★

Manchester United to sign Bordeaux forward Gabriel Obertan, reports claim
• Obertan, now 20, also linked with Arsenal, Inter and Milan
• Rapid, physical and skilful in front of goal, L'Equipe claims

* Buzz up!
* Digg it

* guardian.co.uk, Monday 6 July 2009 12.29 BST
* Article history

Gabriel Obertan

Bordeaux's Gabriel Obertan, playing here for France under-21 against England under-21, is expected to sign for Manchester United. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Manchester United are set to sign Bordeaux's 20-year-old forward Gabriel Obertan, according to reports. Obertan, who has been described by scouts as "rapid, physical and skilful in front of goal", was also wanted by Arsenal, Milan and Internazionale, claimed the French newspaper L'Equipe.

The Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud was quoted as saying: "It's actually a great opportunity, we would love to see Gabriel evolve at such a club."

L'Equipe compared Obertan to Liverpool's French forward Daniel Ngog and added that the fee has not been disclosed but an agreement between United and Bordeaux has been in place for weeks.

Obertan broke into the Bordeaux side in 2006-07 and spent half of last season on loan at Lorient. He played 16 times for the Ligue 1 champions in the first half of the 2008-09 campaign and scored one goal in 15