Wenger Plotting €30m Bid After Confirming Interest In Attacker

The January transfer window may have slammed shut but clubs will still be working hard behind the scenes at identifying targets for the summer, so we’ll bring you all the latest news, gossip and rumours. Today, Gooner Mac brings us news of Arsenal’s interest in Antoine Griezmann.

Arsenal are plotting a €30m (£25m) bid for Real Sociedad winger Antoine Griezmann this summer after boss Arsene Wenger confirmed he’s been tracking the player for some time, according to the Mirror.

Griezmann has emerged as one of the hottest properties in Spain after a superb campaign that’s seen him score 19 goals in 38 appearances so far in all competitions. His impressive form has seemingly attracted interest from a whole host of top European clubs with Real Madrid, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain all understood to be keen.

However, Arsene Wenger is ready to join the fight after he confirmed his interest in the 22-year-old when he was quoted over the weekend as telling French TV:

“I’ve been following Griezmann for a long time” [source: Express]

The Mirror now claim that the French international is high on Wenger’s agenda this summer and the Gunners boss will test Sociedad’s resolve with a €30m (£25m) bid at the end of the season.

The attacking midfielder recently confirmed he’s content at the San Sebastian Stadium but will assess his future this summer.

“I am happy at Real Sociedad, I am very relaxed about the situation.

“I want to finish the year here and then we will see.” Griezmann is quoted as saying by the Mirror.

It remains to be seen whether a €30m offer will persuade Sociedad to cash-in on their star man as they will know that a positive showing at this summers World Cup will further boost interest in the player as well as his sell-on value.

Griezmann has already represented France at youth and Under-21 level but is expected to earn his first cap for the senior team during Wednesday’s friendly against Holland, and on current form he’s likely to be on the plane to Brazil.

If Wenger is keen to bring the attacker to the Emirates, it could therefore be wise to make his move early in the summer before the World Cup to avoid a potential bidding war, should Griezmann perform well on the world’s biggest stage.

I’d personally love to see us sign the player as he’d bring not only some much-need pace to the squad, but he’ll also bring a goal threat from midfield which has been missing ever since Theo Walcott has been injured. He predominantly plays on the left-wing though, so he could be viewed as a slightly cheaper alternative to long-term target Julian Draxler.

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