Arsenal are to bid £10 million this summer for Toulouse and France international star Etienne Capoue, but must move fast after talks with Paris Saint-Germain came to light.
Arsenal have long been linked with a transfer move for Etienne Capoue from Toulouse, but it appears they will face competition this summer in the race to sign the France international.
The 24 year-old has revealed that he has already begun talks with Paris Saint-Germain, and the Qatari owned club’s financial muscle means that they will be able to outbid almost any team in the world.
“There was contact this winter, and there still is today,” said Capoue to L’Equipe.
“I’m still a big fan of PSG, so this is a dream for me,” continued the France star.
Capoue also emphasized his desire to “play the Champions League” and has not ruled out a Premier League transfer.
It is that detail that may help Arsenal to secure a deal, with the Daily Express claiming that manager Arsene Wenger is set to make a further £10 million bid, having been rejected in the January transfer window.
What may work in the Gunners’ favour is that there is no doubt that the Premier League is currently considered a more interesting proposition than Ligue 1; not least because it is comfortably higher in the UEFA Coefficients for division rankings.
The Premier League has fought top spot out with Spain’s La Liga in recent seasons, but France is back in fifth in the rankings, and it would be understandable if Capoue sought a bigger challenge in England.
Much may hinge on Arsenal reaching the UEFA Champions League again next season.
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