Arsenal and Tottenham blamed by transfer rivals for causing bidding war for midfield powerhouse (Video)

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AC Milan president Adriano Galliani has blamed transfer rivals that include Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Inter Milan for causing an auction for AS Monaco star Geoffrey Kondogbia, reports the Daily Express.

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As a result of the price going up, the Rossoneri have had to drop out of the race to sign the 22-year-old, leaving the way open for their local rivals or the Premier League duo to swoop for the midfield star.

However, whether any of the trio are still keen for the youngster now that his price could go up to over £28.6 million is another matter. Kondogbia is also understood to be craving higher wages.

Galliani said: “Whoever wins will be bled dry. The competition has caused the price-tag and the player’s own demands to explode.

“It is going to be at least €35m (£25m), but you can imagine it now going beyond €40m (£28.6m), and Kondogbia is now asking for several million euros to be convinced.”

The midfielder impressed in the last season as the principality-based side made it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, and came third in Ligue 1. During their success in Europe, the France international starred in Leonardo Jardim’s side’s 3-1 win over the Gunners, which caught the eye of manager Arsene Wenger and led to their interest, according to the Express.

North London rivals Spurs are also keen on the central midfielder, as boss Mauricio Pochettino looks to improve on their fifth-placed finish last time round and get in to the top four. Similarly, Roberto Mancini will be wanting to get the Nerazzurri back into Europe’s premier club competition.

The fact that the pair aren’t already in the Champions League could hold them back in the transfer race though.

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