With a reported £100 million bid for Kylian Mbappe made, and Arsene Wenger – accompanied by Ivan Gazidis – spotted in the south of France, fans believe that a deal for the teenage sensation could be happening.
However, I am sceptical.
Granted, I doubt that Wenger and Gazidis are on some sort of lad’s holiday and I think they are on the French Riviera to conduct transfer business but, there is a lot more footballing talent on the Cote d’Azur than just Mbappe. Marseille, Nice, and Monaco are the three biggest clubs in that area, so I am going to highlight two players from each club that Arsenal could, and should be targeting.
Morgan Sanson, Marseille, midfielder
Having only joined OM in January from Montpellier, I find it unlikely that Sanson would leave the club so soon after arriving.
However, the 22-year-old has had an impressive season, making 37 appearances in Ligue 1, scoring four times and picking up 14 assists.
While many midfielders can be defined as attacking or defending due to their capabilities, Sanson is able to make an impact at both ends of the pitch. The Frenchman is happy to track back, get stuck in and defend for his team, but he is at his most effective on the front foot.
He has a great eye for a pass, highlighted by his 14 assists, while he is also a willing runner from deep, causing problems by arriving late into the penalty area. When in possession, Sanson immediately looks to transition defence into attack, making him an exciting player to watch and a valuable asset for any side.
If Marseille were to sell, they would be looking for an increase on the £10 million they paid to bring him to the south of France.
Jean Michael Seri, Nice, midfielder
A midfielder in a similar mould to Sanson, Ivorian Seri was a key player in the Nice side that finished third in Ligue 1. Effective at both ends of the pitch, Seri was the midfield lynchpin of Lucien Favre’s side, dictating play from deep.
The 25-year-old scored seven goals and assisted a further 10 in what was a highly impressive season on the south coast.
With a beautiful range of passing, Seri is able to control a game from a deep position, remaining cool, calm and composed in possession. He is also able to burst through the midfield at pace, beating opponents, playing neat one-two’s or getting beyond a back four.
Seri is somewhat of a dead ball specialist, taking responsibility for the majority of Nice’s set pieces, with 50% of his assists coming from corners and free kicks.
The Ivorian has a release clause of £33 million, and he has drawn the interest of Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Roma, who had a £17.5 million bid rejected earlier this week, meaning Arsenal will need to move quickly if they want him.
Djibril Sidibe, Monaco, full-back
A player that Arsene Wenger has tried to sign in the past, the Frenchman has developed into a top full-back.
Sidibe was a key player as Monaco marched to the Ligue 1 title, but did not receive the credit his performances deserved. Quick and powerful, the 24-year-old is very much a modern full-back, who likes to join the attack and deliver dangerous crosses for attackers to get on the end of, assisting eight goals across all competitions this season, even scoring three of his own.
While he looks to attack at every opportunity, Sidibe is also good defensively. Strong in the tackle and with good positional sense, he is very rarely caught out at the back, making him a reliable and consistent performer. Confident with both his left and right foot, and able to operate on both sides of the back four, his versatility makes him an attractive prospect for any team.
It is unclear how much Monaco would want for Sidibe, or if they’d even want to sell but he would be a quality addition to the Arsenal squad.
Maxime Lopez, Marseille, attacking midfielder
While Kylian Mbappe has been lauded for his talent and fearlessness despite his tender years, Marseille’s Maxime Lopez has gone relatively unnoticed despite his obvious ability.
At just 19, Lopez scored three times and assisted seven goals in 30 Ligue 1 games this season, and he clearly has a bright future ahead of him. Standing just 5ft 5in tall, the diminutive Frenchman is tricky, skillful and always looking to cause problems for defenders.
Comfortable on the ball, Lopez is able to take on players at ease with his impressive centre of balance and quick feet, while also able cut open defences with pinpoint passes.
Adding more goals to his game is needed but, that will come with time, and while he may not be the world-class signing Arsenal fans are looking for, he is definitely one for the future.
Wylian Cyprien, Nice, midfielder
Seri’s midfield partner, 22-year-old Cyprien has got it all. Capable of a graceful and elegant performance or a battling display, there is nothing that the Frenchman can’t do. With eight goals and three assists in 29 Ligue 1 appearances this season, Cyprien was one of the standout players in the Nice side.
Calm and confident on the ball, he has dominated midfield’s across France with is skill and power, while also having an eye for the spectacular, scoring a number of goals from range, including a wonderful free-kick against PSG at the Parc des Princes.
Nice have stated that they want to keep their best players so it would take a lot to prize Cyprien away from the club, but by god would he be worth it.
Thomas Lemar, Monaco, winger
While Mbappe has received most of the spotlight, praise has been thrust on Radamel Falcao and Bernardo Silva has earned himself a £43 million move to Manchester City, Thomas Lemar has been somewhat of an unsung hero for Monaco.
Having joined the club for just £3 million from Caen in 2015, the Frenchman has had a brilliant season for the Principality side, scoring 14 goals and assisting a further 17 across 55 games in all competitions. Quick and tricky, Lemar is able to beat defenders with ease, while his final pass and end product are often accurate and precise.
At just 21-years-old, the winger’s performances have somewhat defied his years and show that there is a lot more to come from Lemar in the future.
Now, for the exciting news Arsenal fans.
Lemar is valued at just £26 million and is known to be a long-term admirer of Arsenal, with reports stating that a lack of UEFA Champions League football is not an issue for the Frenchman, and he would be keen on a move to North London this summer.
Could we see him in an Arsenal shirt next season?
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