Arsenal were thought to be preparing a bid for Sevilla’s Geoffrey Kondogbia before the end of the transfer window as Arsene Wenger looks to add to his squad in the wake of a 3-1 opening day defeat to Aston Villa.
After getting rebuffed on their £10million offer for Yohan Cabaye yesterday, the bidding wheels are in overdrive at the Emirates as the Gunners look to secure at least one new signing before the end of the transfer window.
The 6’3 20-year-old would bring some much needed toughness to the middle of Arsenal’s field, and he can also flex back to centre half or left back.
Kondogbia is young and French and therefore ticks all the boxes for Wenger, but the powerful midfielder is also defensively minded and not frightened of a physical battle.
Even when the Gunners were dominating English football it was said the side lacked physicality and the France international could be just what is needed at the Emirates Stadium.
An impressive spell with Lens earned the midfielder a £3.5m switch to Sevilla 12 months ago, where despite being so young Kondogbia was a first team regular and was also instrumental in the France under-20 side’s World Cup triumph this summer.
Kondogbia’s stock is rising as Monaco and Juventus have joined the race to complete a deal. The Frenchman would be a decent signing for Arsenal, however they will have to move quickly in order to secure his signature.