Arsenal Face Milan Obstacle in Pursuit of Exiled French Defender – Report

AC Milan have joined Arsenal in the race to take advantage of Adil Rami's uncertain future at Valencia, according to talkSPORT.

The French centre-back has been suspended without pay by the La Liga club after a radio interview during which he criticised the club's trainer, missing the weekend's league win over Rayo Vallecano and won't feature against Kuban Krasnodar in the Europa League.

Rami's future will now be scrutinised by the Valencia board this week leading to suggestions the 27 year old's future at the Mestalla will be cut short, and a number of clubs are interested in taking advantage of his situation.

Leading those interested parties are Arsenal, who despite making four new additions during the summer transfer window, are short of defensive resources.

Club captain Thomas Vermaelen has started just one game this season due to a back problem, leading to Bacary Sagna playing at centre back during the absence Laurent Koscielny. German defender Per Mertesacker has been an ever-present in all 11 of Arsenal's fixtures this season.

Arsenal's win over Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday was their 10<sup>th successive win in all competitions but Arsene Wenger is expected to enter the transfer window in January in order to add depth to his squad.

But the north Londoners face competition from Milan for the signature of Rami as the Italian giants attempt to make up for a disappointing start to their domestic season.

Massimiliano Allegri's side have won just two of their opening six Serie A matches while their Champions League performances have been far from convincing despite taking four points from their first two group games.

Hopes Milan have of qualifying for the Champions League rely on a rapid improvement to their domestic fortunes and having already conceded 10 goals this term surgery is required in a defence which is without Matias Silvestre and Mattia de Sciglio due to injury.

Manchester City have also been credited with an interest in Rami, who has been capped 26 times by France, after Martin Demichelis was ruled out for a significant period after picking up a knee ligament problem in his first week with the club.