Arsene Wenger is a manager who loves to recruit French players a lot. We have seen him do that on many occasions like in the cases of Laurent Koscielny, Thierry Henry, Olivier Giroud, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Abou Diaby and so on. You all know why I had to stop listing.
It's not surprising to know that the Frenchman is now plotting a move for three stars who are currently playing in Ligue 1. He is lining up a summer transfer for any or even all of them if things work out.
First is Alexandre Lacazette whose 27 goals in 33 appearances helped Lyon finish in second position, just eight point behind Paris Saint Germain.
He is a versatile forward who has featured for France seven times. He can play as a left or right winger and also as a striker.
Arsenal will have to spend much to get Lacazette who is valued at around £40million. It is however believed that Lyon will be forced to sell him if they get something in the region of £35million.
Another target is Nabil Fekir, a Lyon player. He plays behind Lacazette and their partnership has really paid off.
With 34 appearances in Ligue 1, Fekir has had twelve assists and scored 13 goals in the process, having also scored two goals in the Coupe de France.
He is a prolific attacking midfielder who it is so difficult to get the ball from. He has been in action for the French national side.
Again, Wenger would clearly need to splash the cash to land this star as Lyon see him as invaluable to their current side, and so he would cost the Gunners a fee in the region of £25million.
Lastly, Geoffrey Kondogbia, a French midfielder who plays for Monaco is also on Wenger's radar. This guys scored against Arsenal in the Champions League, helping his side progress in the competition. The 22-year-old is good at using both legs.
Arsenal are known to be in the hunt to sign the France defensive midfielder, while Manchester City, Real Madrid, Inter, Juventus and AC Milan have also been linked.
However the player's valuation is going through the roof and Milan CEO Adriano Galliani believes whoever signs him will not be getting value for money.
"Whoever wins will be bled dry. The competition has caused the price-tag and the player's own demands to explode," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"It is going to be at least 35m euros, but you can imagine it now going beyond 40m euros, and Kondogbia is now asking for several million euros to be convinced."
Reports have it that Arsenal have forwarded an £18million bid for Kondogbia but Monaco want £24million.
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