Montpellier Herault SC midfielder Younes Belhanda has revealed he is keen to leave Ligue 1 and favours a move to either the Premier League or the Bundesliga. The 23-year-old Moroccan international is a reported target for north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham. The Express believes the former French champions have given permission to Arsene Wenger and Andre Villas-Boas to place formal bids.

Younes Belhanda
Reuters

Montpellier Herault SC midfielder Younes Belhanda has revealed he is keen to leave Ligue 1 and favours a move to either the Premier League or the Bundesliga. The 23-year-old Moroccan international is a reported target for north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham. The Express believes the former French champions have given permission to Arsene Wenger and Andre Villas-Boas to place formal bids.

"I want to go to England or Germany. I think I'm done with this football, physically and technically and the risk-taking. I have contacts, it has to happen. My wish is to play in the Champions League next season, but I can also sign for a club that offers a beautiful experience. But not in France, I shall learn no more here," Belhanda told French newspaper L'Equipe.

Montpellier are expected to ask for €11m for their player. Belhanda has had a good season with the club, scoring 10 goals and creating three more from 29 Ligue 1 starts.

Arsenal and Spurs are both expected to bid for the player, with both clubs looking to strengthen ahead of next season. The Gunners narrowly beat AVB's men to the Champions League this season and that could prove a crucial factor in this race.

Belhanda is contracted to Montpellier until the end of the 2014/15 season. Goal.com linked with a surprising move to Turkish Super Lig side Fenerbahce in the January transfer window but no agreement was ever reached. He was also linked to Serie A side Inter Milan, who lost Brazilian Philippe Coutinho to Liverpool. However, given the Nerazzurri have not qualified for either the Champions League or the Europa League next season, it is unlikely he will move to the San Siro.

Yaya Sanogo Loan Back Unlikely

Meanwhile, the Express believes there is no chance Arsenal will allow striker Yaya Sanogo to return to Auxerre on a loan, should the France U21 international move to north London. Negotiations for his transfer are believed to be close to complete but any thoughts of an immediate loan for the new season were dismissed by the French club's chairman.

"He will only loan him back to us if he considers the player is not ready to join his team after the preseason preparations. Otherwise he will not loan him," Guy Cotret told a French radio station.