Gunners set for Nasri swoop

French trio lined up by Wenger

Last updated: 21st May 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Gunners set for Nasri swoop

Nasri: Set for Arsenal

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Arsenal are closing in on a triple French swoop with Samir Nasri, Clement Chantome and Francis Coquelin all understood to be on the verge of moving to North London.

The biggest of the three deals is that of Nasri - who only recently signed a new long-term contract with Marseille.

But l'OM have agreed to let him leave as they hope to sign Hatem Ben Arfa from Lyon as a replacement.

Arsenal, who also have an interest in Ben Arfa, have agreed a deal for Nasri believed to be worth 15million euros (£11.9million).

Nasri is expected in the English capital on Wednesday for a medical before signing a four-year deal.

Ben Arfa's move looks closer after Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas confirmed he could leave and admitted he would rather he joined l'OM than a foreign club.

"I am not opposed to Hatem's transfer to l'OM. My idea is very clear, with the same offers, I will prefer my player to join a French club than a foreign club.

"French Football has to get more and more competitive teams for both Le Championnat and European Cups."

Aulas then admitted that Arsenal are one of two Premier League clubs to make contact with him about Ben Arfa.

"But I have not been contacted by l'OM officials yet," he said. "There is also interest from two English clubs, notably Arsenal."

While Wenger is a fan of both Nasri and Ben Arfa - the l'OM man has always been his preference and it appears he is now close to capturing him.

PSG bid

Nasri's signing is likely to be followed by the arrivals of Clement Chantome and Francis Coquelin.

Chantome was one of the few Paris Saint Germain players to come out of last season with any plaudits after a string of impressive displays in central midfield.

The 22-year-old has been likened to Mathieu Flamini and Wenger is reported to have met with the French Under 21 international in the last week.

Coquelin - who is with third division Laval, has been on trial with Arsenal and although he picked up an injury during training - the 17-year-old seems to have done enough to earn a deal.

It is believed Coquelin is currently in London undergoing a medical ahead of a deal.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have also handed a trial to Ghanaian starlet Tawrick Jibril.

The 16-year-old is currently with Hearts of Oak and has been linked with Atletico Madrid.

Jibril will link-up with Arsenal in July and will hope to make an impression on Wenger.