Lille’s Sofiane Boufal is a transfer target for Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham and Manchester City, although the winger is unlikely to be allowed to leave in the January window.

The 22-year-old, who has scored five goals in Ligue 1 so far this season, has been heavily scouted by several clubs in England, Spain and Italy over the last few months after his impressive displays for the French side. However, with Lille currently struggling in mid-table, it is expected that they will resist any offers to sell their prized asset this month despite ongoing financial difficulties at the club.

Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi signs new contract with Marseille Read more

Boufal, who was signed from newly-promoted Angers last January for an undisclosed fee believed to be around €4m, is now valued at around €25m (£18.3m) by Lille. Although sources close to the player insists he is “99% certain” to stay in France this month, the club are understood to be willing to cash in at the end of the season.

The reigning French champions Paris Saint-Germain are also believed to have registered an interest in Boufal, who came through the youth system at Angers and has yet to represent either France or Morocco – for whom he qualifies through his parents – in a competitive match.

Tottenham are understood to have been the first Premier League club to have scouted the player who has been compared to former Lille forward Eden Hazard in the past, although scouts from Arsenal, United and City have also been in attendance at recent matches. Boufal is said to be relaxed about his future, with his club having only appointed manager Frédéric Antonetti at the end of November.

Asked last month about the prospects of Boufal leaving in January, Antonetti warned him against making any rash decisions. “I see a lot of failures in departures,” he said. “Because sometimes they go a little too early. I am not afraid of losing Sofiane Boufal in January, because of all the discussions I had with him. He has many things to learn. In a club like Lille, he can move forward.”

Meanwhile, Angers have yet to receive any concrete bids for Boufal’s former team-mate Romain Thomas. The defender is wanted by both Crystal Palace and Stoke having impressed in his side’s rise to third place in Ligue 1 this season.