Kondogbia looks to be the real midfielder on Arsenal’s radar

Arsenal are set to up their interest in Monaco’s Geoffrey Kondogbia, as Arsene Wenger looks to fight off Inter Milan for his signature, reports in Italy say.

The Gunners are said to be in the market for a central midfielder, and while they remain 7/4 favourites to sign Juventus’ Arturo Vidal, Wenger has stated he is not interested in signing the Chilean.

Instead it looks as if the six-time FA Cup winning manager is turning his attention to his fellow countryman Kondogbia.

A powerhouse in the centre of the park for Monaco on their surprise run to the Champions League this season, the three-capped man has been linked to a move to north London for the past two seasons.

But now with his stock at its highest, it appears the hierarchy at the Principality club are looking to cash in, but only if the price is right.

Inter Milan are rumoured to have beaten Arsenal to the punch in terms of making contact with the Ligue 1 runners-up, but with a bid of €25m falling some way short of his club’s €35m valuation, any move for Kondogbia looks a way off yet.

Having spent seven years at Monaco before making his move to London, Wenger could use any remaining ties with his old club to seal a deal.

While his target has all the attributes of a rock at the centre of midfield, there solely to win headers and break-down any opposition attack, but Kondogbia is more than that.

The powerful Frenchman is more of a box-to-box player, capable of bursting runs and killer passes, but is also more than capable of player that sought-after holding role.

At 22-years-old, he is three years younger than another Arsenal target Morgan Schneiderlin, so could be seen as more of a player for the future, but with no Premier League experience, it is a gamble as to whether he would convert his Ligue 1 form to the English top-flight.

Arsene Wenger has said he is happy to spend money as the club chase a first title in 12 years.

And with odds of 5/1 suggesting more improvement is necessary, he may well have to splash the cash this summer.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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