Arsenal: Arsene Wenger ready to cash in on Ajax midfielder Riechedly Bazoer, touted the next Patrick Vieira

Arsenal are keeping close tabs on Ajax starlet Riechedly Bazoer and are set to make a bid in the summer. The midfielder has already broken into the first team at 19 years of age and is being touted as the next Patrick Vieira, which has interested Arsene Wenger.

According to The Sunday People, Arsenal have scouts present every day to watch the player and his arrival would be in line with a slew of departures from the club, with the likes of Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini, and Tomas Rosicky all likely to leave in the summer. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has also been linked with a move as Wenger is reportedly not impressed with his development since coming to the Emirates in 2011.

Juventus, Napoli and Borussia Dortmund are also interested in the player who has more than 100 appearances for Ajax. He is likely to be inducted as a backup for Francis Coquelin, who is the first choice holding midfielder at the club this season.

However, Ajax have tied him down to a long-term contract, which would elevate his transfer fee to around the £15m ($21m)-mark, which given Arsenal's current financial situation, is well under what they can afford. Coquelin's absence midway through the season, after the midfielder missed a majority of the fixtures due to a knee injury caught the Gunners off guard and Wenger is looking to bring in proper reinforcement so that a similar situation does not present itself.

The north London club have an important game lined up against Manchester United on Sunday, 28 February, where a win is imperative given that Leicester City, who are top of the table, have won their game against Norwich City in the weekend to take up a five point advantage. Arsenal and Tottenham have to catch up to keep the Foxes under check, with Spurs playing Swansea at the same time that Gunners are travelling to Old Trafford.