French Starlet Confirms He Is Ready To Link Up With Arsenal

Auxerre forward Yaya Sanogo has revealed he is eagerly anticipating his imminent move to Arsenal this summer.

Arsene Wenger revealed in a press conference last week that the club were close to finalising a deal for the 20-year-old, whose current contract with the Ligue 2 outfit is set to expire this summer.

Although Wenger did not confirm that a deal had been agreed, Sanogo's latest comments suggest that his proposed move to the Emirates is all but finalised.

"Arsenal could be a great club for me, I scored nine goals this season with Auxerre and they think I can improve my level in England," the France U21 international told Sky Sports.

"I am pleased to be following in the footsteps of Abou Diaby who came through Auxerre. There are many teams interested in me, but Arsenal is my choice."

A move for the forward would represent a typically shrewd move from Wenger. Sanogo rejected the opportunity to renew his deal with the French club earlier this season, meaning the Gunners will only have to pay Auxerre a compensation fee to acquire the striker's services.

Sanogo only made 11 appearances for the French club this past season, but has impressively found the back of the net on nine occasions.

In addition to Sanogo, the Gunners would appear to be in the market for a more established presence up front, amid reports that the club are ready to shatter their record transfer fee to bring either Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain ot Fiorentina's Stevan Jovetic to north London.

The Argentine forward has been told he can leave the club after six years at the Bernabeu, after the club's management announced they will be putting their faith in Karim Benzema, who had been vying with Higuain for a lead role up front at the club.

But as is also the case with Montenegro international Jovetic, Juventus are also in the running. Despite having secured the services of Fernando Llorente, the Bianconeri are still eager to strengthen their forward options, and may pose a threat to Arsenal's hopes of securing one of the duo.

The arrival of Sanogo and possibly one other forward is likely to see the club offload a number of forwards still on the books that Wenger is unlikely to have any use for. At the top of that list will be Park-Chu Young and Marouane Chamakh, both currently out on loan at Celta Vigo and West Ham United respectively.

Nicklas Bendtner, taken on loan by Juventus last summer is also likely to be sold, while Joel Campbell could be shipped out on loan for another season, having already had lengthy spells with Lorient and Real Betis over the past two years.