Arsenal Target Move for £8.5m Sevilla Midfielder - Report

Arsenal are considering an approach to sign Sevilla midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, according to Tutto Mercato Web. The 20-year-old joined Unai Emery's side last summer and was the integral part of the Spanish side's midfield, making 31 appearances in the La Liga last season.

The report claims the Gunners are likely to face competition from Spain. Real Madrid have been linked with a move to sign the midfielder, along with the Premier League champions Manchester United and Chelsea are also keen on signing Kondogbia.

The France midfielder's contract with Sevilla runs down in 2017 and the La Liga side's manager admitted that Kondogbia could still leave his current employers, before the end of the transfer window.

"We want him to stay here but there are circumstances that could lead to an exit. We will not make any movement to sell. There is no need to sell and we all know that in the club," Emery told Marca.

However, suitable buyers need to match the midfielder's asking price. The Metro claims the player has a £8.5m release clause on his contract and Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido has already confirmed he will not be allowed to leave unless interested clubs meet his valuation.

"We have rejected an offer for Kondogbia - the bid was not sufficient. Our idea is that he continues growing at Sevilla, just like he did last year. But there is a release clause that says if we have a written offer of £8.5million, we must accept it and he can go," Sevilla president explained.

Kondogbia was also the part of the France squad, which won the FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey last month. His impressive form has seen him receive a call from the national side, as the midfielder made it to Didier Deschamps' 23-man squad to take on Belgium.

Meanwhile, the 20-year-old earned his first France call and Deschamps is banking on Kondogbia to have a bright future at the international stage.

"He had a very good season with Sevilla and he was good for the Under-20s at the World Cup in Turkey. He has the potential to be a future international. This is a chance for him to discover the senior side," Deschamps said.