Toulouse star lined up to replace contract rebel at Arsenal
Published:With every new contract renewal at Arsenal comes the question – what about full-back Bacary Sagna?
Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla and Gedion Zelalem were the latest players to commit their futures to the north London club following the previous announcement about new deals for Per Mertesacker and Tomas Rosicky.
But still Arsenal fans await news about the future of Sagna, who has just weeks remaining on his current deal, and with no sign of any breakthrough in negotiations Arsene Wenger is drawing up a list of replacements for his French counterpart.
Toulouse right-back Serge Aurier is the latest name to be linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium as the Gunners contemplate life without Sagna.
Wenger already has Carl Jenkinson on the books but Aurier, who has seven caps for Ivory Coast, is on his radar in a bid to boost his defensive ranks.
The 21-year-old is a product of the Lens youth system and made 48 appearances for Les Sang et Or before Toulouse came calling in 2012.
Since his arrival, the Ivorian defender has been a regular at the Stadium Municipal but it is his performances this season, in which he has scored five goals, which have caught the eye of Wenger and Arsenal’s scouting network.
With just over a year remaining on his contract at Les Pitchouns Arsenal would be expected to part with £6m to snap up the promising full-back but the club still harbour hopes of securing the future of Sagna.
The French international has been a key component of Arsenal’s solid defensive displays as they chase a Premier League and FA Cup double, on at 18/1 with Ladbrokes.
Arsenal face a crucial London derby against league leaders Chelsea at the weekend and Sagna’s contract talks will be put to the backburner as he tries to stop Eden Hazard at Stamford Bridge.
Jose Mourinho’s side are 9/10 for the win with the draw on at 5/2 but the Gunners, who are 16/5 for victory in west London, will be hoping three points at the Bridge and some silverware will convince Sagna his future lies in the north of the capital.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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