Arsenal Transfer News: Wenger Confirms Interest in 'New Nasri'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has now set his eyes on signing Lyon star Clement Grenier as the 63-year-old has confirmed the Gunners' interest in signing the midfielder in the summer.

Grenier has managed six goals and eight assists in 32 appearances in all competitions. The north London club's manager revealed Arsenal's interest in bringing the midfielder to the Emirates and has labelled Lyon's star as the "new Nasri."

"We are following him, I like the intelligence of his play. He has interesting qualities, if anyone, he reminds me of Nasri," said Wenger, as quoted in the Mirror.

Lyon finished the season in top three and have made it to the next season's Champions League, after finishing fourth last campaign. The French midfielder played a crucial role in helping his team seal a place in the Europe's most elite club competition, which has attracted interest from top clubs across the continent.

However, Arsenal will need to spend big to land Grenier in the summer. Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has admitted the north London club needs to cough around £31m for the services of the midfielder.

"Clement said to me that he will give priority to Lyon if we qualify for the Champions League. So I prefer [to listen to] what he said, rather than what Arsene Wenger said. But, we have to make a financial effort to keep him. We will see after the level of our effort [that we have to do]," Aulas explained.

"If Arsene wants to have an idea of Grenier's price, I will tell him that it is the same as what Bayern Munich paid for Mario Gotze - around €37 [£31m]," Lyon president added.

Grenier's current deal with his current employers run down in 2014 and had earlier admitted to enter into negotiations with Lyon after the end of the season. The midfielder is currently on a €80,000 a wage and is now looking for an improved deal to continue his services for the Ligue 1 outfit.

Should Arsenal sign Grenier in the summer, it will be a great addition to the north London club and will strengthen their midfield for the new season. Meanwhile, his club team mate Maxime Gonalons is also linked with a move to the Emirates in the summer.