The captain of Saint Etienne, Loic Perrin, has confirmed that Arsenal have been in touch with him in relation to a move to the Emirates.
Arsenal, who are criminally short of centre backs, are believed to be actively trying to rectify the problem during this transfer window and the Frenchman has been identified by the club as a likely candidate.
Speaking to the media after the game against Nice and reported first by Get French Football News, Perrin said
I have been contacted personally. Arsenal is interested, but for now there is still no contact with Saint-Etienne.
Should Arsenal decide to move for the 29 year-old player it seems as if they could well be in luck as their head coach, Christophe Galtier, is open to selling him – but only if they get a ‘surprising offer’.
He told the press a few days ago:
Loic (Perrin) is a special case that I will look after personally. I’m not saying the door is open but if a surprising offer is made we would have to listen to Loic and his wishes.
It’s incredibly hard here for me not to make a joke about Arsenal being very good at making ‘surprising’ offers, but they’re usually not the kind of ‘surprising’ that Galtier probably has in mind.
Still, with the player saying he has been contacted, looks like this story could have some legs.
Until they fall off, of course.
This is Arsenal we are talking about.