Prolific French Under-21 Striker Admits Interest in Arsenal Move

Auxerre striker Paul-Georges Ntep has revealed that he would love to join Arsenal in January but has insisted that he would not move to England if he was simply going to end up on the bench.

The 21-year-old is attracting interest from several major European clubs after becoming a regular for Auxerre and hugely impressing for France at Under-21 level where he has scored six goals in just seven appearances.

Ntep is contracted to the Ligue 2 side until the summer of 2015 but there has been plenty of speculation that he will look to leave after clubs such as Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain sent scouts to watch him in action.

Tottenham and Chelsea were also credited with interest in the striker but it seems he is keen to make the move to Arsenal because of their reputation for giving young players opportunities in the first team.

"Arsenal is a club that appeals to any player," Ntep told L'Equipe. "This is a club that relies on young people. After that, it's always the same question - it depends on the project. Arsenal, yes, but to do what?

"If this is a club where I am going to sit on the bench, then where is the progression? I'm not saying I want to go to a big club to start immediately but at least that can happen in the medium term."

The powerful young striker was also asked whether he would consider a move in January, adding: "It is a [situation] I am currently thinking of.

"This is a decision that must be taken depending on the project presented, game time, and the style of the team.

"The question may arise this winter but it will be for the club, first, to consider. For me, the day I have an interesting sporting project, I will ask the question."

Arsenal have been linked with numerous strikers over the course of the last few weeks and there is a belief that Arsene Wenger will look to strengthen in January.

The long-serving Arsenal boss will also likely be aware of Ntep as he persuaded the striker's former teammate Yaya Sanogo to make the move from Auxerre to the Emirates during the summer transfer window.