This source suggests that the Boro boss is apparently considering a move for a teenager with bags of potential!

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Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is ready to snatch Arsenal’s young French star Armand Traore from under the noses of Portsmouth.
Traore is currently on loan at Tony Adams’s side, but Boro plan to make a cash offer to lure him away in the New Year window.
The French starlet is seen by Southgate as a new left-back – the position he played at the start of his career with the Gunners – rather than in midfield where he is playing for Pompey.
Traore is at the crossroads with Gael Clichy likely to be in the Arsenal side for years to come and Arsene Wenger willing to let him go to another Premier League side to gain experience. (Daily Mirror)

Armand Traore has greatly benefited from his move to Portsmouth and, during his time at Fratton Park, the experience of top tier football every week has helped take the rough edges off a hugely talented prospect. Whilst it’s true that Gael Clichy currently occupies the berth that Armand would like to fill, I really don’t see Wenger considering selling the 19-year-old and I think the French Under-21 international will be keen to try to convince Arsene of his value, rather than move to the Riverside.

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