Manchester United and Manchester City are prepared to battle each other in their quest to bring Monaco defender Djibril Sidibe to England
Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola are both aiming to recruit the right-back as they look to strengthen their back-line
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JOSE MOURINHO and Pep Guardiola are set for another battle, but this time in the transfer market as they both aim to bring Monaco defender Djibril Sidibe to England.
The right-back was a target for Arsenal last summer, and so far this campaign he has established himself as one of France's best defenders.
Guardiola is thought to have watched the 24-year-old on a scouting trip last month according to reports in France, and is keen to replace his ageing right-back's Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna who are approaching the end of their contracts.
The Citizens manager has identified him as the man who could potentially blossom under his guidance, and will be keeping a close look on him when City face Monaco in the Champions League last 16.
Despite signing John Stones, he failed to recruit the defenders he wanted in the summer after seeing moves knocked back for Hector Bellerin, Aymeric Laporte and Theo and Lucas Hernandez.
While Red Devils boss Mourinho is thought to want to bring the French international in to replace Matteo Darmian.
Sidibe rejected a move to join Arsene Wenger last year, instead choosing to sign for Leonardo Jardim when he left Lille after four seasons playing for them.
He has six international caps to his name, and could at the end of the campaign collect a Ligue 1 winenrs medal as his side top the table in France.
Amazingly Monaco have scored a whopping 75 goals in just 25 games, and lead Paris Saint-Germain in second place by three points.