Agent Claims Defender Move Is Close After Holding Talks With Arsenal & Liverpool

With the January transfer window now open for business clubs will be working hard to try and strengthen their squad for the second half of the season, so we’ll keep you up-to-date with all the latest news, gossip and rumours. Today, Arsenal and Liverpool are linked with Cheikhou Kouyate.

The agent of Anderlecht defender Cheikhou Kouyate claims he is in talks with Arsenal and Liverpool about a potential move to England and expects a deal to be completed soon, according to the Daily Star.

The Senegalese international has impressed at the heart of the Anderlecht defence in recent seasons which has led to interest from the Premier League.

The 24-year-old was strongly linked with a move to the Emirates in the summer before deciding to remain at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, but admitted he’d like to try his luck in England in the future.

It appears Arsenal have retained their interest and now face stiff competition from Liverpool for Kouyate’s signature with the players agent, Saffet Balkan, quoted as saying that he’s held talks with the Premier League duo and expects a move to be completed soon.

“I have been in talks with representatives from Liverpool and Arsenal over Cheikhou Kouyate.

“Arsenal are very interested in Kouyate. It’s very likely that he’ll be joining a Premier League club soon.” Balkan is quoted as saying by the Star.

The newspaper claims that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was impressed by Kouyate’s performances at the 2012 Olympic Games but was unable to land the 6ft 4″ centre-back due to work permit issues.

However, with the defender now holding a Belgian passport, he’s free to make the move to England and it appears Arsenal or Liverpool is his most likely destination.

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