Arsenal have established contact with Lille defender Djibril Sidibe, and are hopeful of beating off their rivals for his signature this summer, according to French sports daily L’Equipe.
Monaco have already reached an agreement over a fee with Lille for the 23-year-old left-back, and were hoping to close out the deal for Sidibe in the next few days. Sunderland have also been linked with a move for the defender, while Southampton boss Claude Puel is a big fan.
However, Arsenal have thrown a spanner into the works and have barged into the negotiations by directly contacting the player’s representatives over a proposed transfer to north London.
It has been claimed that the Gunners have already presented a contract offer to the player, and his agents are keen to hold talks with Arsene Wenger’s men over a deal.
Wenger, who initiated the discussions, is hoping to convince the player to reject Monaco’s offer and accept Arsenal’s proposal, before placing a bid on Lille’s table for Sidibe.
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Arsenal are confident that they will eventually reach an agreement with the player for a transfer to the Emirates Stadium this summer.
Watford and Southampton are claimed to have probed Lille for the player, but Sidibe was expected to move to Monaco before Arsenal made their presence felt in the transfer saga.
Monaco also held discussions with Sidibe’s representatives yesterday, but the final decision on his future rests with the player.
