Sunday, 3rd July, 2011
A three-way race is under way for Marseille midfielder Mathieu Valbuena with English trio Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur all running the rule over the 26-year-old.
According to L’Equipe, Arsenal are currently leading United and Spurs, due to their pressing concern over the possible loss of Samir Nasri.
The Frenchman has been unable to agree a new contract with the Gunners, who have offered the midfielder €4.3M per season – well short of Nasri’s demand for €5.5M a year.
And with just a year left on the 24-year-old’s contract at the Emirates, Arsenal are in serious danger of losing the player’s services, with Inter, Manchester United and Manchester City all pushing hard for a deal.
The Gunners are not sitting on their hands though and Valbuena is at the top of Arsene Wenger’s list.
Marseille would like to keep hold of the France international, but there is a sense at the Stade Velodrome that an offer of €15M could cause a reconsideration of that position.
Under contract with Didier Deschamps’ side until 2014, €15M would represent good value for the French side and allow Marseille to put further funds into the pot for the recruitment of a top class striker, a priority of Les Phoceens’ summer transfer business.
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