Arsenal make initial contact with Southampton regarding Morgan Schneiderlin transfer

Arsenal have made a move for Morgan Schneiderlin and are prepared to bring the Southampton man to the Emirates in the summer, according to ESPN.

The Gunners are yet to register an offer, but are expected to do so once the season ends, as Arsene Wenger looks to add more steel to his midfield. The emergence of Francis Coquelin has alleviated the need, but Wenger has mended his ways and is looking to build a setup, which can not only defend but also attack with flair.

Arsenal will face competition from Tottenham, who have previously expressed their interest in the player, but are unlikely to pose a problem for the Gunners, given they have all but fizzled out in the race for a top-four spot.

The Frenchman had previously expressed interest in joining a top four club and with Southampton matching Tottenham in league rankings, the former are unlikely to have much of a leverage in his transfer.

"In August, I wanted to take a step up, but the club had let too many players leave to accept to sell me. Since, I have talked to the board, and I want to play at a higher level -- it's important, at 25, to finally discover the Champions League," Schneiderlin said.

"At the end of the season, Southampton could qualify for the Champions League and I could also stay. Who knows? But I no longer want to be in front of my TV on Tuesdays and Wednesdays," he added.

The Gunners are likely to let Mathieu Flamini leave on a free transfer in the summer along with Tomas Rosicky and Wenger has earmarked Schneiderlin as the man to come in as a replacement.

Wenger had previously expressed the need to sign a player who can add 10-15 goals a season and is expected to move in for a wide forward should Theo Walcott's contract situation not get resolved.