Manchester United are in pole position to sign the highly-rated striker Breel Embolo from FC Basel.

Embolo is seen as the next big thing when it comes to strikers in Europe, with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, Arsenal and Chelsea all keeping a close watch on the forward's progress.

However, as Manchester United showed in the last transfer window, they are not shy when it comes to paying big money for potential, and Louis Van Gaal is all set to add Embolo to his squad, be that in the January transfer window or in the summer after the end of the season.

According to The Metro, who cite Tuttosport, Manchester United could make a move for the Switzerland international starlet as soon as January, considering the amount of interest the 18-year-old is generating across Europe.

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The Anthony Martial deal, despite the humongous transfer fee, is already looking like smart business, and Embolo certainly has the talent to succeed on the big stage.

Manchester United do lack a proper striker who can bag plenty of goals at the moment, with Martial just going off the boil after a bright start, while Wayne Rooney has not been in the greatest of forms either.

Embolo, who can also play off the wings, or even as a second striker, has the ability to be that potent centre-forward, even if he is still a teenager.

A combination of Martial, Embolo and Memphis Depay would certainly lock Manchester United in as a serious attacking threat for years to come, something Van Gaal will be aware of.

However, persuading Basel to let go of their prized asset midway through a season will not be easy, and even if Manchester United manage to do that, they will undoubtedly face stiff competition from other big clubs in Europe.