Arsenal linked with £20m swoop for Manchester United winger Nani

Portugal international could replace Theo Walcott

Manchester United winger Nani (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal are to make a £20m swoop for Manchester United misfit Nani, according to reports today.

The Portugal international is currently out of favour at Old Trafford, attributed to a dispute with Manchester United over his contract demands and a bust-up with manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The 26-year-old has not played since he was substituted during United's Champions League match in Braga early last month.

Nani's contract expires in 2014 and with a new deal at Manchester United looking increasingly unlikely, the club will look to offload the winger while his value remains high.

It is reported that United will demand £20m for the player they signed from Sporting Lisbon for £14m back in 2007.

Arsenal are the leading contenders to stump up the cash according to The Sun, with Nani an ideal replacement for Theo Walcott, who is current involved in his own contract dispute.

The England winger's current deal expires at the end of the season, and although manager Arsene Wenger has publicly said Walcott will not be sold in January, allowing the player to leave for nothing at the end of the season goes against all the Arsenal manager's usual financial mindfulness.