Director says £35m player now wants to leave after he was linked to Arsenal

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A Bundesliga player is now keen to leave his current club this summer – after he was linked with a move to Arsenal.

The player in question is currently away at the Olympic Games – working under Thierry Henry within the France U23 squad – although when the tournament is over, a move to the Emirates Stadium could well beckon.

So, which Arsenal target is hoping for an exit this summer? Let’s take a look…

Manu Kone wants to leave Borussia Monchengladbach after Arsenal links

Roland Virkus – Director of Football at Borussia Monchengladbach – has now told Kicker that Manu Kone wants to leave the Bundesliga outfit this summer.

The 57-year-old said: “Kone told us quite early on that he would like to leave the club, but there is no movement there either. We are watching the Olympic Games and then we will have to see what happens. If something comes up, we will listen to it, but without the pressure to do it. In the end, it has to be a good fit for all parties.”

It comes after respected journalist Steve Kay told KS1TV that Arsenal would love to sign Kone this summer.

Virkus did not mention how much Borussia Monchengladbach would take for the Frenchman this summer, although a story from Tutto Juve claims that the German side will accept a bid of €40m (£35m).

Frenchman is certainly an option for Mikel Arteta, although Mikel Merino seems more likely

Arsenal are in the market for a new central midfielder next, after the Gunners signed Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna to bolster the defence.

Kone is clearly a realistic option for Mikel Arteta, with Virkus openly telling the media about the 23-year-old’s desire to leave.

However, we believe Mikel Merino is more likely to sign for Arsenal this summer.

Fabrizio Romano recently confirmed that Arsenal are 100% keen to sign Merino, who shone for Spain as Luis de la Fuente’s side won UEFA Euro 2024 this summer.

Spanish news outlet E-Noticias add that Merino himself is keen to join Arsenal, and is rejecting other offers in order to secure a move to north London.

READ MORE: Arsenal told they can sign “one of the best players in the world” if bid is increased by £26.1m

If that falls through, then a move for Kone could materialise, but as things stand, we believe the Spain international is the most likely candidate to bolster Arteta’s midfield department this summer.