Arsenal Identify Liverpool Defender to Replace Sagna – Report

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is keeping tabs on Liverpool defender Glen Johnson's future at Anfield with the England international yet to agree a new deal, according to talkSPORT.

Johnson would be available for a free when his current contract expires in the summer of 2015 but the Reds would be vulnerable to a low bid from a rival club in six months' time as the 29 year old enters the final year of his deal.

The England right-back, who is expected to form part of Roy Hodgson's squad for the 2014 World Cup finals, could even sign a pre-contract agreement to join a foreign club in the January transfer window in 2015 should a new Liverpool deal not be forthcoming.

Liverpool have a history of allowing experience player's contracts run into the final year of the deal, with captain Steven Gerrard not agreeing a two year extension until last July.

When asked about Johnson's contract situation in September, manager Brendan Rodgers said: "It's something the club will take up at the right time. I'm not sure where it's at."

Since joining Liverpool in 2009 from Portsmouth Johnson has made close to 200 appearances across five seasons on Merseyside and is among the club's most consistent performers.

In the last 18 months Liverpool have secured the likes of Luis Suarez, Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel, Lucas Leiva and Raheem Sterling all to long-term deals but Johnson may become a victim of Rodgers seeking to lower the club's average age.

The emergence of Jon Flanagan and Martin Kelly in recent seasons could also tempt Rodgers into allowing Johnson to leave the club however with rivals Arsenal among the potential destinations that intention could be tempered.

Bacary Sagna is seemingly on the brink of leaving Arsenal at the end of the season having failed to agree a new deal.

The Frenchman has been maligned by a series of long-term injuries during his Arsenal career but still represents an important part of the club's Premier League title challenge this season.

Sagna is understood to be holding fresh contract talks with Arsenal this week which could not only breathe new life into his career in north London but also derail any bid for Johnson.

Carl Jenkinson has sporadically proven himself as an able stand-in but Johnson's experience could prove invaluable to The Gunners going forward.