Wenger sticking to roots as Arsenal battle Newcastle for French talent

Benjamin Corgnet could easily emerge as France’s 2012 answer to Franck Ribery and his performances for Dijon this season are set to spark a bidding war from the Premier League in the summer.

Corgnet has long stated that he intends to see out the season and hopefully help Dijon succeed in their fight with relegation from Ligue One, which ruled him out of a move in the latest transfer window.

However, it is almost certain that interest will be restored in the summer, particularly if he succeeds in being an unlikely addition to Laurent Blanc’s French squad for Euro 2012.

It is hard not to be impressed with the 24-year-old’s first season in the French top flight, as he has already managed eight goals to help Dijon sit outside of the relegation places at present.

There is certainly the argument that Corgnet would have already been playing for France if at a bigger club and it is virtually guaranteed that this will be his final season at Dijon.

Newcastle have been long admirers of Corgnet and were at the front of the queue to sign him in January, which would have seen him a join a French midfield of Yohan Cabaye, Hatem Ben Arfa and Sylvain Marveaux that has already been assembled by Alan Pardew.

But Arsenal have emerged as possible contenders for Corgnet’s signature, with Arsene Wenger realising that he will have to get busy in the transfer market in the summer to prevent Arsenal falling too far adrift of the Premier League’s other top clubs.

Arsenal have struggled noticeably in midfield this season with Jack Wilshere injured, Andrey Arshavin underperforming and Aaron Ramsey not quite stepping into the footsteps of Cesc Fabregas or Samir Nasri.

Finishing in the top four this season would be a substantial boost to Arsenal’s chances of securing the services of Corgnet and this can be backed at 5/4 in the Premier League odds.