Valbuena could be on his way to England.
Marseille midfielder Mathieu Valbuena has hinted that he could leave the Ligue 1 club this summer with Arsenal and Newcastle United keen on securing the Frenchman.
Reports on Sky Sports have linked Newcastle and the Gunners with a move for Valbuena, who has spent the past seven seasons at the Stade Velodrome.
Despite the French side finishing second in the league to big-spending Paris Saint-Germain and therefore confirming Champions League football for next season, Valbuena is still uncertain what the future holds for him.
“My contract has been automatically prolonged for one season due to Champions League qualification,” the France international was quoted on Sky Sports.
“But we will see what happens in the summer.”
Valbuena cost his current side just £70,000 when they bought him from FC Libourne-Saint-Seurin in 2006, but according to football website transfermarkt.com it’s likely that any potential suitors would have to find £13m now to sign the attacking midfielder.
During a successful campaign for Marseille the 28-year-old played all but one of their Ligue 1 matches and contributed with three goals and 12 assists.
The form of Valbuena in 2009/10 saw him called up to the France national side for the 2010 World Cup, although a disastrous tournament for Les Bleus saw in-house fighting and elimination during the group stages.
However, since making a substitutes appearance at that fateful competition the Marseille man has gone on to earn 21 caps for his country and has netted five goals.
It’s likely that if Valbuena were to move to England then the lure of continuing to play Champions League football with Arsenal would be a greater incentive than a switch to St James’ Park.
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