The Gunners are to make a move for Guilavogui.
St Etienne midfielder Joshua Guilavogui has emerged as a transfer target for Arsenal, with AS Monaco and Wolfsburg also keeping tabs on the Frenchman, according to L’Equipe.
The Gunners are looking to strengthen their squad this summer with manager Arsene Wenger being handed a £70m budget and the midfield ace could be one of a number of new faces at the club.
Guilavogui operates mostly in front of the back-four as a defensive midfielder, although can also push slightly further forward and was one of Les Verts’ standout players last campaign.
With St Etienne marching on European football in 2012/13 and eventually finishing fifth in Ligue 1, the 22-year-old was instrumental and has caught the eye of several potential suitors as a result.
The France international played all 38 of the side’s league matches, netting three goals, as well as making six more appearances in other competitions.
As a result Guilavogui earned a call-up to the national squad and has since played twice for France in international friendlies.
With Monaco aiming to improve their midfield upon their return to the French top tier, the St Etienne man is ticking all the right boxes.
The super-rich Principality club also have Newcastle United’s Yohan Cabaye in their sights, with Arsenal hoping that is where their interest lies as Wenger wants Guilavogui for himself.
An overhaul is expected at the Emirates Stadium before the start of next season, with Andrey Arshavin, Denilson and Sebastien Squillaci having already been released and a replacement needed for veteran midfielder Tomas Rosicky – who’s contract is up in 12 months time.
On the other hand, players arriving at the club in the near future are expected to be Real Madrid’s Gonazlo Higuain and possibly Everton’s Marouane Fellaini, so Guilavogui would be in good company.
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