Arsenal Close To CB & DM Deal Ahead Of January Window

According to reports, Arsenal are interested in signing two of Marseille’s exciting young players when the transfer window re-opens in few months. They are 19 year old defender Stephane Sparagna and 21 year old midfielder Florian Thauvin.

The former is facing the prospects of leaving the French league leaders on a free transfer in the coming months, as his contract  reportedly runs out in December. Arsenal are not the only club sniffing around the 6ft 2in central defender, as he is also interesting French side Rennes. However, a caveat to the possibility of any signing, is the player’s injury history. That is at the heart of why his contract runs out in December, as Marcelo Bielsa’s side are reluctant to offer him a new contract because of his fitness issues. The youngster came through the youth Academy at Marsielle and has gone on to make just a single appearance for the first team, which came in early August when Marsielle drew 3-3 with Bastia in their opening match of the season.

On the other hand midfielder Florian Thauvin is still very much under contract, as he is regarded as one of the great hopes of French football because of his abundant talents. He is thought to be in Arsene Wenger’s radar as the Frenchman considers the options that he would bring in for some ageing players in midfield.

The 21 year old who has featured prominently since he joined from Lille, was close to leaving Marsielle in the summer transfer window. The South of France based club was reportedly close to agreeing a fee for the transfer of the midfielder to Inter Milan, but he turned down a move to the San Siro, with claims that he still wanted to remain in France with Marsielle

“The president had contact with Inter, but I don’t know exactly what happened,” the midfielder said.

“Things were clear for the president and me: my departure was out of the question, so honestly I haven’t studied the offer.

“It’s flattering [interest from elsewhere]. [But] I am a Marseille player and they are a big club too. Here I feel really good.”

Going by the pursuit of needs, the link of Stephane Sparagna who is a central defender, is who the club should  consider signing. However, his struggles with fitness could as well put paid to any possible signing. While as for the former, his link looks a possiblity in the future, as a move now for a defender looks the most likely signing.