Arsenal Transfer News: Are Gunners Preparing Summer Bid For France U21 Defensive Midfielder?

If the latest reports are to be believed, North London-based Premiership side Arsenal are preparing a handsome transfer bid for French Ligue 1 side Toulouse’s young defensive midfielder Etienne Capoue and hope to land the player this summer when the transfer window opens.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is known for bringing young players to the club whose talents can be later harnessed to make them better in their respective positions, and Capoue is another example of the boss opting for young player among a host of talented young individuals in the side.

It is being said that Arsenal are preparing a $16.26 million (£10 million) transfer bid for the player that could help them in their attempt to lure away the player to the Emirates. However, it is to be seen if Toulouse complies with any transfer request made by Arsenal for the player, as he was already awarded a contract extension until 2013 by his club in 2008 when he was nominated for the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year.

Toulose, nonetheless, could end up losing the 23-year-old if he is intimidated to join Arsenal, which is one of Europe’s heavyweights. Moreover, moving in with the Gunners could also assure him the taste of Champions League football. The French side are currently in the seventh position in the Ligue 1 this season and manager Alain Casanova might find it difficult to hold on to the youngster when the season ends.

Capoue appeared regularly in the first team in the 2009-2010 season and drew interest from Italian club Lazio and Premier League clubs Liverpool and Arsenal previously. However, in November 2009, Toulouse responded to the interest by reaching an agreement with Capoue on a one-year contract extension until 2014.

Apart from the Gunners, Spanish La Liga side Real Madrid and Italian Serie A club Inter Milan are also monitoring the youngster, according to a Tribal Football report.

Capoue, who began his club career with Toulouse playing on the club's under-18 team in 2006, signed his first professional contract with the club and agreed to a three-year deal until 2011. He has made as many as 134 appearances for the Stadium Municipal-based side.