Arsenal Revive Interest in Madrid and United Midfield Target – Report

Arsenal have revived their interest in Sevilla midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia and are planning a move for him this summer, according to Sky Sports. The midfielder has attracted interest from the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid and is increasingly likely to move out of Sevilla who are strapped for cash.

Arsene Wenger is in the market for a defensive midfielder to replace Alex Song who left the club for Barcelona last summer. Abou Diaby was initially earmarked for the role but the midfielder's inability to keep himself fit has forced Wenger to look at other options. The Frenchman is currently recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury and is expected to be unavailable for the current calendar year.

Kondogbia is currently in Turkey with the France team in the U20 World Cup where they have qualified for the finals and will play Uruguay for the trophy on Saturday. The 20-year-old has started in all games for his national side, scoring two goals and assisting one in the process. The midfielder also had a breakthrough season with Sevilla, making 31 first team appearances in the league, while scoring and assisting one goal each. However, the youngster has his heart set on moving to Real Madrid and has expressed his delight at having been linked with the Spanish giants.

"I'm delighted [over Madrid reports] but my feet are firmly on the ground and I know I need to improve a lot. They're a great team, like others, but I am very happy at Sevilla. We'll see [what happens] after the World Cup [in 2014]. I talk to Varane a lot, but not about that. We're friends. He hasn't tried to convince me," Kondogbia said.

Wenger was also keen on a move for Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini and were reported to be interested in activating his £23m release clause. However, not much has transpired in the past few weeks and the Belgian fears that a move to London has fallen through. The Independent reports that the Gunners are planning to make a bid for the midfielder after they have signed two strikers but the 25-year-old's release clause can only be activated till the 15<sup>th of August, failing which the north London club will have to talk to Everton to agree a fee.