Arsenal could spark bidding war for star Fulham asset

With just one year remaining on his Fulham contract, Clint Dempsey’s sparkling season has drawn admiring glances from a number of clubs, and Arsenal seem to have the firmest interest.

The versatile American scored his 23rd goal of the season in all competitions on Sunday, and Arsene Wenger is now believed to be primed to make a move.

Wenger is determined to prove to his captain, and PFA Players’ Player of the Year Robin Van Persie, that the club has title aspirations, and the signing of Dempsey would go some way to proving that.

This has been somewhat of a breakthrough season for the 29-year-old American, who has demonstrated his true calibre in a goal-laden season.

His ability to operate across the midfield, as well as up front, is appealing to Wenger, who faces competition from Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham for his signature.

The Frenchman is hopeful of stealing a march on other potential suitors however, and Fulham could be tempted to cash in on Dempsey bearing in mind his contract’s impending expiration.

Fulham would likely demand a fee in excess of £8million for Dempsey, and at the peak of his career, the American would surely be tempted by the prospect of Champions League football.

That looks likely at the Emirates, as Arsenal remain in pole position to claim a third place finish to see them qualify for Europe’s elite competition.

Dempsey is the latest of a string of potential summer additions for Arsenal, as Wenger looks to do his business early in the close season.

A deal for Lukas Podolski has already been tied up by Wenger, and he is also hopeful of making Jan Vertonghen and Yann M’Vila Gunners players as soon as possible.

These additions, along with Dempsey, could be enough to persuade Arsenal’s talismanic captain Van Persie to extend his own contract.