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Manchester United are closing in on a shirt-sleeve sponsorship deal that could net them a staggering £20million a season.

United put the advertising space on their players' arms up for grabs early this year – and that started a bidding war with big interest from China, the rest of Asia, America and the Gulf states.

The tops are worn by world stars such as Zlatan Ibrahmovic, Paul Pogba and David de Gea – and United have held talks with several interested companies.

It is believed that they have also had discussions with kit supplier Adidas to make sure their famous three-stripe trademark does not impede the sleeve logo.

Watch — Stormzy joins Man United in new Adidas advert:

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Advertising on United’s shirt has huge prestige, with main sponsors Chevrolet paying a massive £370m over seven years to have their name on the chests of the first-team jerseys.

That huge outlay does not even cover the training kit, which is sponsored — along with the club’s Carrington training complex — by financial firm Aon.

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The Chevrolet deal replaced a £20m-a-year first-team shirt tie-up with Aon, but Old Trafford’s marketing men believe they can get close to that with a sleeve logo.

Manchester City recently announced a sleeve deal with South Korean tyre firm Nexen, which is believed to be worth around £5m a year.

(Image: Man City/PA)

And an Old Trafford source said: “The United shirt is one of world football’s iconic jerseys.

"There are several interested parties and talks are on-going.”