Arsenal have opened talks with French club Lille over a possible deal to sign £13m highly-rated full-back Djibril Sidibe this summer, according to reports from L’Equipe.
The 23-year-old ace graduated through the youth ranks at Troyes before departing to Lille in 2012 and is now one of the best full-backs in the French league over the past few years.
The French international’s dazzling footwork caught the attention of AS Monaco and they were set to secure a move after a €15m(£13m) deal was agreed with Lille earlier this week with Lille trying to get midfielder Rony Lopes on loan immediately to fill the void.
The transfer was set to be completed in few hours however, L’Equipe suggest that Arsenal contacted Lille in the past 48 hours and have hijacked Monaco’s deal. The news outlet claims that Arsenal Wenger wants the French defender and is now in advanced negotiations with the French club to get a deal done.
Italian reporter Gianluca Di Marzio sounded much more confident that it will only be a matter of time the Gunners land the French international, who will add strength to our defence.
Lille's Sidibè is set to sign for Arsenal, he can play as RB and LB. He was close to As Monaco #afc
— Guglielmo Cannavale (@GugliCannavale) July 7, 2016
The Journalist also said that the North London club are the most likely destination place for the 22-year-old and the deal is close to conclusion.
Sidibe, 22, can feature both on the right-back position and left-back so it seems Wenger is looking for a replacement for Kieran Gibbs who is expected to depart for the Emirates due to lack of enough playing time that was lost to Spain international, Nacho Monreal.
Despite his vast experience, he featured in just three Premier league games last season and I feel Wenger should do everything in his capacity to keep the Englishman and give some more playing time.
In recent months, we have strongly been linked with a move with Swiss international Ricardo Rodriguez but Sidibe will be a cheaper option and it seems Wenger is close in signing the French youngster.
Sidibe made 42 appearances for the French club last season and his creative footwork earned him a call-up to the France squad as a reserve player for Euro 2016. He has not made an appearance for the senior national team, but has featured in the Under-20 and Under-21 team in the past.
