Monaco have trumped United already this summer - they landed Old Trafford targets James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho - while they also beat Chelsea to Radamel Falcao.

David Moyes is keen on a central midfielder and Kondogbia is highly rated at United.

However, Monaco have stepped in and believe they have won the £18m battle to land the France international.

A five-year contract is all-but agreed and the Ligue 1 newcomers hope to announce the move officially by Thursday.

Carlo Ancelotti has axed Arsenal target Iker Casillas and says he is still uncertain as to whether the Real Madrid goalkeeper is the club’s number one.

Casillas, who fell out of favour under Jose Mourinho last season, was surprisingly dropped in favour of Diego Lopez for the club’s season opener against Real Betis.

This had led to speculation that the 32-year-old could leave and Arsenal have been linked with a shock move for the Spaniard.

“The club is very lucky to have two fantastic keepers and I have to make the decisions,” the former Chelsea manager said.

“It is normal for me to make this kind of decision and gauge the reaction. I am not going to say who the keeper will be.

“There has been a lot of talk going around and I would prefer to talk to both players first. Then I will make a decision, but it will not be definitive. (talkSPORT)

Reports suggest Casillas will want out if he’s going to be second keeper to Lopez giving Arsenal hope in the dying days of the transfer window.

Arsenal and Manchester City are interested in signing Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, according to Catalan newspaper El Mundo Deportivo.

The London Evening Standard claimed on Tuesday morning that Arsenal are monitoring Casillas’ situation, after the 32-year-old was again benched for Real’s 1-0 win at Granada on Monday.

Mundo agrees that the Gunners, who want competition for current number one Wojciech Szczesny, are interested in Casillas but add that City are also keen on the Spain and Real captain, after recent criticism of Joe Hart.

Casillas is unlikely to continue to tolerate playing second fiddle to Diego Lopez, particularly with Spain’s defence of their World Cup looming in Brazil 2014.

Arsenal are in contact with the entourage of Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas, according to reports on Marca.com.

It is no secret that boss Arsene Wenger wants to find an established stopper to replace Wojciech Szczesny, as he feels the young man is not ready to keep guard between the sticks just yet.

And that has led to Casillas, who is not the clubs number one anymore and could be set for a sensational move to the Emirates

Reports have claimed we have asked his camp what the chances are of him leaving the Bernabeu this summer and making a move to London

It would be a great move by us to nail down the Spanish Captain, but it would be a massive surprise if he did

There has been a reports on the Daily Mirror website which have claimed Arsenal have been offered the chance to nail down Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid.

We have been looking to do some last minute deals and the reports have claimed Madrid are looking to offload the duo, as they look to fund big money moves for Tottenham’s Gareth Bale and Liverpool’s Luis Suarez.

And that has left the door open for Arsene Wenger to walk through and prise them to the Emirates with his £70 million transfer kitty

They are both top-quality and would certainly add something to our squad.