Arsenal Keeping Tabs on Lyon Midfielder Clement Grenier

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is reportedly keeping a keen eye on the fitness of Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier, according to the Mirror.

The French international got injured just six days before the start of the World Cup forcing him to miss out on the summer tournament in Brazil. However, that has not made the Gunners lose interest in a player they have been keeping tabs on for longer than one summer.

Wenger wants to add depth to the Arsenal midfield even though it is well stocked with creative players. Last season saw the Gunners struggle after key players Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere suffered injuries in the crucial part of the campaign.

Grenier, who plays his club football at the French club Lyon, has been an important member of the team for the past few seasons. The 23-year-old midfielder made an impressive contribution in the 2013-14 campaign scoring four goals and providing five assists.

The Lyon playmaker is currently injured and is being kept under close watch by the Gunners boss. The Frenchman could make a move for the player if he can get fit before the start of the season. It is claimed that Grenier could be available for a fee in the region of £7.5m.

Arsenal could face competition from Newcastle United who have been linked with the French international since the January transfer window.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have confirmed the release of 11 players from the club's books after the players' contracts expired. They included a number of first team players as well.

The north London clubs record-signing Mesut Ozil who is on World Cup duty with Germany has tweeted his best wishes for the players who are departing the club.

"@bendtnerb52, @EmilianoViviano, Kim Källström & Park Chu-young: wish you all the best for the future! :-) #goodbye #AFC #Arsenal #Gunners," Ozil tweeted.