Nicolas N’Koulou (Marseille)
N’Koulou has been one of the biggest reasons for Marseille’s ability to keep pace with big spending PSG in the Ligue 1 this season. The player only joined the club from Monaco last summer but with the club reportedly facing financial pressures, they know they face a battle to keep hold of their talented defender.
The French side are looking for a fee in the region of £8 million which would be affordable for the Gunners as well as allow Marseille some breathing space to keep hold of the rest of their squad. The club are keen to bring in a centre-back this summer with the side lacking leadership at the back.
The player sparked the interest of a number of Premier League sides recently when he admitted he could be set for a move to the Premier League. Arsenal may find themselves in competition for the players signature though with the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and Newcastle all thought to be monitoring the player’s availability. Marseille’s title rivals Lyon are also thought to be keen to keep the player in France.
Qualification for the Champions League could prove key to persuading the player his future lies at the Emirates Stadium.