Man United, Arsenal and Newcastle face bidding war for French defender

Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle are locked in a battle with Borussia Monchengladbach to sign Montpellier defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.

Yanga-Mbiwa, 22, is rated one of the best young defenders in Europe and has been a star performer in the French League this season.

The talented youngster has earned a surprise call-up to the France squad and is in the preliminary 26-man party for Euro 2012.

There have been no shortage of Premier League clubs chasing his signature, but reports in German magazine Kicker claim Borussia Monchengladbach have now entered talks to sign the 23-year-old defender.

There is certain to be a bidding war for his signature during the summer and with Yanga-Mbiwa only having one-year left on his current deal, Montpellier will be looking for a sizeable fee for their star defender.