La Liga giants set sights on French left back.

SOCCER 2009 - Champions League Arsenal Beat Roma 1-0

Gael Clichy is keen to remain focused on matters at Arsenal in the wake of fresh speculation regarding his future.

The French full-back is reported to be a potential target for Primera Liga giants Real Madrid, who are keen to bolster their defensive options.

It is suggested that Santiago Bernabeu officials have already made contact with Clichy’srepresentatives about a possible switch to Spain next summer.

The 24-year-old only penned a four-year contract with Arsenal in 2008 and remains a regular part of Arsene Wenger’s plans.

However, Real could be willing to test the Gunners’ resolve with an approach at the end of the current campaign.

Clichy has been quick to distance himself from such speculation, claiming he is only concerned with Arsenal for now, but he has stopped short of completely ruling out a move away from Emirates Stadium in the future.

“At the moment I am focused on Arsenal and France,” he said in the News of the World.

“This season could be very important to me and I desire to be focused in my work. The summer of 2010 is still very far away.” (Sky Sports)

Well I guess it makes a change from the constant stream of reports surrounding Barcelona’s attempts to unsettle Cesc Fabregas, now it appears that Real Madrid are going to try their hand at pushing for Gael Clichy.

I can’t say I am surprised given that the Bernabeu’s resident left back, Marcelo, looks very raw and pretty poor in recent matches that I have seen him in action. Clichy has been around for what seems an eternity but is still just 24, and after years of waiting for Ashley Cole to step aside he has made himself irreplaceable at the Emirates and is closing in on his 200th appearance for the club.

The Spanish giants were linked with a move for Gael in the summer and there is a part of me that is not sure what the Frenchman would do if a sustained offer resulted in an actual bid. Obviously it goes without saying I would not want him to leave but at least if he did we would have the ready made replacement in Kieran Gibbs waiting to step in to fill the void.

I think as with a fair few other players, this season could be crucial, after a few seasons without silverware some players are anxious to see a change. There will be some who will redouble their efforts and fight to succeed at the club and some who may well leave and look for success elsewhere, but I don’t see Clichy doing a runner.


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