Highly-rated French youngster Giannelli Imbula could be on his way to the Premier League this summer following reports that Arsenal have made contact with the player’s father.
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According to French publication Le10Sport [via Metro Sport] the Gunners hope to bring the defensive midfielder to the Emirates Stadium this summer and are looking to fend of competition from North London rivals Tottenham as well as Serie A giants Inter Milan.
The 22-year-old looked set to sign for the San Siro outfit, but after they confirmed the signing of Geoffrey Kondogbia, who was also on the radar for Arsenal, from AS Monaco [via Mail Sport] it would appear Imbula’s signature is still up for grabs.
The Marseille man has also been a target for Premier League champions Chelsea in the past [via Telegraph Sport] but the Gunners look to be in pole position to land the player who scored twice in 37 Ligue 1 appearances last season.
Manager Arsene Wenger has been linked with a host of central midfielders since the end of the season, with many believing he is still short by one in that department.
The emergence of Francis Coquelin in the holding role just in front of the back four during the second half of last season might tempt Wenger into bringing in another midfielder to play alongside the 24-year-old rather than to replace him.
Juventus and Chile star Arturo Vidal has been tipped for a move to the Emirates once his involvement in the 2015 Copa America tournament is over [via Star Sport].
Vidal more of a box-to-box type of midfielder and if he was to join the Gunners then it would be the strongest hint that Coquelin is the first choice in the engine room next season.