Chelsea & Arsenal face new heavyweight competition for defensive target according to reports

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According to the Italian media, Inter Milan are the latest side understood to be been on Olympique de Marseille defender Nicolas Nkoulou.

The cultured centre-back’s contract at OM comes to an end in the summer, and the Cameroon international has no shortage of suitors. Indeed, while clubs could acquire him for nothing in the summer, there are one or two European giants who would be prepared to pay a premium in order to bag the Indomitable Lion ahead of their rivals in January.

Both Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked to the player in recent months, while L’Equipe [via Le 10 Sport] acknowledged in December that Norwich City were the latest side to show an interest in the player, who could be united with international teammate Sebastian Bassong at Carrow Road.

Marseille have rejected a bid of €10 million from Olympique Lyonnais for the player, while Serie A pair Lazio and Fiorentina are also tipped to be interested.

However, Nkoulou may well be swayed by the prospect of joining Inter, who are currently leading Serie A, have the division’s best defence and, in Roberto Mancini, boast a manager who knows how to see out a title race.

Italian source Il Sussidario [via Le 10 Sport] note that the Nerazzurri are keen, meaning that the Gunners and the Pensioners might have to up their game to bring the Central African to London.

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