Arsenal Prepare Move for Marseille Defender Nicolas N'Koulou - Report

Arsenal are looking to sign Marseille defender Nicolas N'Koulou in the summer, according to talkSPORT.

The Gunners are planning to spend big in the summer to strengthen their squad and N'Koulou has emerged as a viable target to replace Thomas Vermaelen, who is set to leave the club after the end of the season.

The defender is expected to be available for a fee in the range of €12m and will be a good addition to the side, which has been struggling with their defensive shape against the big teams away from home this season.

The player was part of the Ligue 1 Team of the Year in 2012 and has experience in the Champions League with the French club.

Napoli and Monaco are also interested in his services, and the 24-year-old is prepared to make a move out of the club if need be. In an interview earlier this year, N'Koulou revealed that he was pleased at the club but would not shy away if a better opportunity came his way.

"I try to avoid speaking about a departure; this isn't the time to do so when we're in the middle of the championship. At the moment I'd prefer not to draw any conclusions about my season, and speaking about failure is a bit early. When you play for Marseille it's to play for first place. Am I happy here? We're not first, second or third so it could get better, but it's not a feeling of complete, total grief," he said.

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger believes that every team from second to fourth are justifiably aggrieved at missing out on the Premier League title, having gone so close. The Gunners finished the season on 79 points, seven points off the top and can challenge for the title next season with proper investment.

"Yes, unfortunately it's the first time in the Premier League that you finish fourth with 79 points and it was very tight. I believe that Liverpool can be frustrated tonight, we can be frustrated, Chelsea can be frustrated because only one team can win it. But at the top the number of points made by all the four teams is top quality," Wenger told www.arsenal.com.