With the January transfer window now open for business we’ll be keeping you up-to-date with all the latest transfer gossip. Today, are Arsenal set to move for Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa?

Some interesting news this morning Gooners with the Mirror one of several media outlets reporting that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is weighing up a late move to hijack Newcastle’s bid to sign Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.

The report claims Newcastle have agreed a fee of £6.7m with Montpellier for the French international defender and Yanga-Mbiwa is now due to fly to Tyneside to discuss personal terms over a move to St James Park.

However, the Mirror understand that Wenger may be plotting a similar move that saw Alan Pardew miss out on Loic Remy to QPR just last week, with the boss said mulling over a late bid to try and lure the French defender to the Emirates.

I’ve been calling on Arsenal to sign a versatile defender this month and Yanga-Mbiwa would be a great addition in my opinion. He can play right back or centre back, and with Bacary Sagna looking like his mind is already set on a summer move elsewhere, the 23-year-old could be the man to compete with Carl Jenkinson for the right back berth.

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Yanga-Mbiwa also played in defensive midfield against us in the champions league this season so his versatility would be a great asset. At 23, he’s at the perfect age, he’s captained Montpellier over the last 18 months – so would bring some much-needed leadership to the squad – and if the Mirror‘s price-tag of just £6.7m is accurate, he’s well within our budget and would be something of a bargain.

So I hope Arsene goes for this lad, but it sounds like he’ll have to do it quickly if we’re to snatch him away from Newcastle’s grasp.

Would you like Arsenal to move for Yanga-Mbiwa? Get involved in the comments section below.

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