Emirates Stadium side step-up pursuit of much needed tough tackler.
Arsenal are set to step-up their pursuit of Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin with the north London side preparing a January bid for the French battler.
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Arsene Wenger is known to be a big fan of the 24 year old Saints star and is keen to bring in a fresh steely option to field in the centre of the park and hopes a strong offer will be considered by the south-coast side.
The Gunners will offer £22m plus the services of one of three potential makeweights with youngster Francis Coquelin, full-back Carl Jenkinson (who is currently on loan at West Ham) and injury prone midfielder Abou Diaby being among those Wenger is ready to add to any deal as a potential sweetener.
Southampton have been impressed by the manner in which Schneiderlin has conducted himself this term, with the former Strasbourg man actively looking to secure a move to a ‘bigger’ club over the summer only to have his request to do so turned down by a St Mary’s side who had already seen a raft of talents leave for pastures new.
Morgan Schneiderlin has played a key role in Ronald Koeman’s side this season, with Southampton faring far better than some would have expected given the loss of talents such as Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Dejan Lovren and Calum Chambers.
Southampton currently sit in second place in the Premier League with Schneiderlin not only providing his usual strong displays in central midfield but also popping up with three goals to prove his edge in the final third.