Arsenal are looking to pip Napoli to the signing of impressive French midfielder Maxime Gonalons from Lyon.
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It seems as though Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is determined to bring a new midfielder to the Emirates Stadium this summer to provide competition for his existing charges, with Frenchman Maxime Gonalons emerging as the latest contender for a move to North London, according to reports from the Express.
The 25 year-old is currently at Olympique Lyonnais, the club where he rose through the youth ranks to become one of the most consistent and highly-rated central midfielders in Ligue 1 since making his debut in 2009.
Despite Arsenal having been strongly linked with a club record move for Chilean dynamo Arturo Vidal from Juventus, Wenger would likely prefer to move for a player who will not leave quite such a significant dent in his transfer kitty, with other areas of the squad needing more urgent attention.
The Gunners will face competition if they are to secure the signing of Gonalons, however, with Serie A side Napoli also emerging as contenders for his signature.
Former Liverpool and Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez has reportedly made a bid for Gonalons, and would be able to offer him the consistent first team football that Wenger may be unable to promise, considering the depth of talent currently in the Arsenal midfield.