Manchester United and Arsenal are chasing Standard Liege midfielder Steven Defour. The Daily Star says Defour has already set his sights on a summer move to the Premier League.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson signalled his intention to sign Defour after sending the 21-year-old a personal get-well-soon letter in October.

Fergie wrote that he would remain in contact with the Belgian club over his recovery. Gunners chief Arsene Wenger is also a long-term admirer and now they are set to go head to head for Defour.

A source said: "Many Belgian players go and play in Holland but there is a big difference between the Dutch League and the Premier League.

"Steven would love to play in England. There are a lot of clubs looking at him but it all depends on how he comes back from his injury, whether he returns to what he was.

"He has played against Liverpool and Everton over the past couple of seasons and has shown he can play at that level."