Arsenal Launch Late Move For Ligue 1 Midfielder – Schneiderlin A Back-Up Option

With the January transfer window entering it’s final stages clubs are 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, Gooner Mac looks at Arsenal’s move for Blaise Matuidi.

Arsenal have made contact with Paris Saint-Germain to enquire about the availability of midfielder Blaise Matuidi, according to reports today.

The French international is out of contract in the summer and is yet to sign an extension, and it seems Arsene Wenger is hoping that PSG are willing to cash in now rather than risk losing him for nothing at the end of the season.

The Gunners are facing something of a midfield crisis following the news that Aaron Ramsey has been ruled out for up to six weeks after suffering a set back in training on Monday, and it looks like the Welshman’s fresh injury concerns has forced Wenger into the market for cover.

Matuidi would certainly fit the bill as an all-action midfielder and Goal claim we contacted PSG on Wednesday and made it clear we’re prepared to pay a ‘significant’ fee to sign the 26-year-old this month.

The report states that PSG have not yet knocked Arsenal’s interest back, despite president Nasser Al-Khelaifi warning Manchester City against trying to buy any of their players recently, but that could be because Wenger has good connections with the Ligue 1 club which are likely to go in our favour.

With Ramsey now out for at least another month, Mathieu Flamini facing a four-game ban following his sending off last night, Jack Wilshere also struggling with another ankle knock and Abou Diaby out for the season, I think it’s safe to say we need reinforcements in the middle of the park.

Matuidi would be an excellent purchase but I can’t see PSG agreeing to let him go. They have just wrapped up the signing of Yohan Cabaye, so that could open the door a little, but it’s not like they need the money and Matuidi has been an important player for them so far this season.

Goal suggest that Wenger is also looking at Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin as a fall-back option in case PSG refuse to d o business and he’d also be an excellent addition. He was superb against us on Tuesday night and is already adapted to the Premier League. However, I can’t see the Saints letting him go cheaply, so we might have to dig deep if we want to bring him to the Emirates.

Just over two days to go for Wenger to get some business done, fingers crossed he manages to bring us something.

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