When a new transfer window starts, it’s pretty much a guarantee that Arsenal will be linked with a French player.
We haven’t had many so far, but L’Equipe are trying to get the ball rolling on Friday as they report on the current situation of Lyon’s young midfielder Corentin Tolisso.
Strongly linked with a move to Napoli, the 21-year-old has now been the subject of an actual approach from the Serie A club, with Aurélio De Laurentiis doing the negotiating himself, telling Lyon they want their starlet.
The Italian side are prepared to put €16m on the table for the youngster, but Lyon’s stance is fairly clear: Tolisso is not for sale.
The midfielder himself, who wasn’t planning on moving this summer in the first place, has made it clear that if he were to leave, it would only be to make a significant step in his playing career, not just a sideways move.
While listening to what Napoli have to say, the French newspaper say Tolisso isn’t hiding his preference for the Premier League, and Arsenal have been after him for a few months.
L’Equipe explain: ‘Arsene Wenger and his eye in France, Gilles Grimandi, do not hide their interest’.
However, the newspaper also state a new midfielder, especially with the arrival of Granit Xhaka, isn’t a priority right now, with a new centre-back and a new striker the preferred options.
Nothing concrete from Arsenal yet, but if the player starts pushing for a move, you can be sure Wenger will probably be lurking.
