Defensive duo set to depart Emirates Stadium with one coming in.
Arsenal look set to sell two central defenders in the January transfer window in order to fund a move for a brilliant Ligue 1 star.
The player in question is Montpellier centre back Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, who has been one of the standout talents in France this season, and the Arsenal men likely to make way for him in the Gunners’ squad are Johan Djourou and Sebastien Squillaci.
Squillaci today gave an interview to French publication Varmatin in which he revealed he could leave in the January transfer window – and is already talking to other clubs.
“I will be out of contract at the end of the season,” said Squillaci.
“Under the proposals, I will leave. Perhaps during the January transfer window or else I will wait for the month of June. Of course, to go back to PACA (Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur) – where I am from – is something that interests me.
“Marseille, Nice, Monaco, Bastia or Ajaccio are clubs that speak to me. I am 32 years old. I still have two or three good seasons do. On the French Riviera or elsewhere. I will choose depending on the opportunities that arise.”
Joining him out the exit door will be Johan Djourou, who is close to agreeing a deal to move to Hannover 96 in the German Bundesliga according to local paper NeuePresse.
The deal will be initially on loan, with a permanent transfer on the cards for the summer.
With those two off the wage bill, there could then be budget to sign Montpellier captain Yanga-Mbiwa, who has previously stated his desire to move to the Premier League.
He would join his former team-mate Olivier Giroud at Emirates Stadium.
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