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Arsenal open talks with agent over deal to sign £20m star

By on May 3, 2017

According to the Guardian, Arsenal have held initial talks with the agent of Jean Michael Seri with Nice ready to cash-in on the midfielder if £20m is put on the table this summer.

Seri has enjoyed a superb campaign in France with the Ivory Coast international playing a key role in helping Nice sustain a surprise title challenge.

The 25-year-old was outstanding once again on Sunday night as Nice beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 to move three points behind the French giants in third place in the Ligue 1 table.

The Guardian claim that Seri’s display has convinced PSG boss Unai Emery to pursue the midfielder this summer as a possible replacement for Juventus-bound Marco Verratti.

However, the newspaper says that Arsenal are also showing a keen interest in signing Seri with Arsene Wenger sending scouts to watch him in action on several occasions this season.

The Guardian go on to say the midfielder’s agent was in London last week to hold initial talks with Arsenal chiefs about a possible move to north London this summer.

Seri has a buyout clause worth £33m but the Guardian say that because he has just two years left on his current contract the French club are willing to sell at £20m.

The player recently admitted there is plenty of interest being shown in him but he insists he will only join a club that plays good football and where he’s guaranteed to play regularly. Seri is quoted as saying by the Guardian:

“There are a lot of clubs that follow me. But there is nothing done. If I leave, it will be to join a club where there is a real desire to play football as in Nice. And I’m not going to be on the bench, I’m leaving only if I know I’m going to play.”

Central midfield has been an area of concern this season with Santi Cazorla injured and the likes of Aaron Ramsey struggling for form so Seri would be a welcome addition to the squad if we could get a deal agreed.

READ: Arsenal eye move for £15m Cazorla replacement

However, we aren’t the only club interested as not only are PSG keen but the report indicates that Barcelona and Tottenham are also in the race to sign the box-to-box midfielder, so we’re going to face stiff competition.