Sofiane Feghouli to Manchester United: Chelsea interest could trigger January bid for striker as Valencia risk losing him for nothing

Feghouli is out of contract at the end of the season and has caught the eye of Premier League heavyweights Chelsea and Manchester United

Valencia striker Sofiane Feghouli is out of contract at the end of the season (Getty Images)

Chelsea could be set for a transfer battle with Manchester United throughout the rest of the season as Valencia striker Sofiane Feghouli approaches the end of his contract, with both Premier League sides believed to be keen on signing him on a free transfer in the summer.

25-year-old Feghouli has made it clear that he has no intentions of extending his contract with the La Liga club despite the reluctance to let him go. However, the Algeria international will be free to negotiate a summer move from 1 January as he enters the final six months of his contract, and that could start a bidding war between the two Premier League rivals.

Feghouli would offer versatility given that he is able to play through the middle as well as out wide, and The Sun claim that he has attracted the interest of both Chelsea and United with both determined to improve their misfiring strike forces.

Feghouli has World Cup experience after leading the Algerian attack at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, while he has also proven his calibre in the Champions League having already scored twice for Valencia this season in Europe.

But while the club are desperate for Feghouli to stay with them, he has openly refused to sign a new deal and will become one of the most sought-after free agents come January, though he must wait until the end of the season before he can join a new club.

His wage demands will not be a problem for either club, with the 35-time capped Algerian seeking around the £60,000-a-week mark. However, Chelsea and United will not be alone in trying to sign him for next to nothing – although he can expect a large signing-on fee in his favour – and the interest being shown in Feghouli could trigger a January bid from one of his pursuers in an attempt o beat rival clubs to his signature.

That would also give Valencia something to show for selling Feghouli, though at present they have shown no signs of being willing to cash in on the striker. That stance could easily change though once the January transfer window opens and Valencia weigh up the realistic prospect of losing him for nothing.