Ben Arfa in Gunners link

Wenger understood to be keen on Lyon starlet

By Patrick Haond   Last updated: 7th April 2008

Hatem Ben Arfa 2008

Ben Arfa: Attracting interest

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Arsene Wenger has identified Lyon starlet Hatem Ben Arfa as one of his top transfer targets for the summer, according to reports in France.

Wenger has admitted in the past that he is a fan of the 21-year-old and L'Equipe now claims that he is set to step up his interest at the end of the season.

The France international has not been a regular starter at Lyon in recent months and negotiations over a contract extension have been dragging on for some time.

Wenger is understood to be on the lookout for a left-footed midfielder, especially with concerns over the fitness of Tomas Rosicky.

The Gunners boss will have transfer funds available to him and rumours suggest he could be ready to pay 15million euros (£11.8million).

Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas recently denied that he had received an offer from the Premier League giants.