Arsenal to battle Man Utd for Japan's Kagawa

Arsenal are ready to lock horns with Manchester United to sign Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa, it has been reported in the British press.

He has scored nine goals in 29 appearances for Japan, wants to move to England.

Both The Sun and Daily Mail said Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is looking into signing Kagawa, who is also reportedly drawing interest from Chelsea as well as AC Milan.

The 23-year-old Kagawa has yet to sign an extension with reigning two-time Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund, who have offered him a new three-year deal.

But Kagawa looks set to leave Borussia Dortmund this summer for around £7 million as he enters the final year of his contract.

Dortmund are resigned to losing him and believe he will go to the Premier League this summer.

Club president Michael Zorc said earlier this month: "Shinji is going to play in England because he has officially rejected our offer of a new contract."

Kagawa has said he will announce a decision on his future after Saturday's German Cup final at home to Bayern Munich.

The Gunners are currently loaning out another Japanese midfielder in Ryo Miyaichi to Bolton Wanderers, and have signed former international Junichi Inamoto in the past.

Man Utd to buy Japanese star

Borussia Dortmund's Japan star Shinji Kagawa is planning a switch to either Premier League giants Manchester United or Chelsea, according to a report in German daily Bild on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old has been in stellar form this season and his 12 goals in 25 league games have helped put defending champions Dortmund on top of the German league with six games remaining.

But according to Bild, Kagawa is considering rejecting Dortmund's offer to double his wages from 1.5 million to three million euros per season and extend his contract, which is due to expire in June 2013, until 2016.

Both Manchester United and Chelsea are reported to be interested in signing the Japan star and reports in the German media claim Kagawa is worth around 15 million euros.

"There will be a decision made soon," said Dortmund manager Michael Zorc.

"We would love to extend to his contract, but the ball is in his court.

"We know that he fancies a move to England or Spain.

"The question is at what point in time."

Kagawa has been one of the German league's star finds, having signed from Cerezo Osaka in 2010 for 350,000 euros and scored two goals leading Dortmund's attack in their 6-1 thrashing of Cologne 10 days ago.

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