Giles Grimandi has told L’Equipe that Arsenal watched Florian Thauvin when he was playing for Bastia and believes the winger is good enough to play for Arsenal today.

Thavin signed for Lille from Bastia back in 2013 for just £3.15m. Now with Marseille, after time with Newcastle, he is said to be worth around £45m.

With six goals and three assists in just eight games this season, £45m might be a bit cheap.

180930 lequipe thauvin grimandi arsenal
L’Equipe 30 September 2018

Grimandi believes that it is important that Thauvin takes an ‘international step’ although he also admits that he has some concerns about the player’s physique. “He has size,” he said, “but lacks a little power. Mentally, he is a true champion.”

Grimandi, however, does not see a Premier League top six move on the horizon for his fellow countryman. “I do not see a “top 6” English move and he has no interest in fighting for West Ham or Everton.”

Although he seems to contradict himself, he seems to mean that had Arsenal signed Thavin back in the day, he would be in their team today but, as they didn’t, it’s highly unlikely they are going to pay between €50m and €60m for a player described as a ‘luxury’ despite his goalscoring exploits so far this season.

Grimandi goes on to say that Thavin has a weak right foot but an excellent left, describing him as “technically above the crowd,” something Grimandi thinks might make him appeal to Seria A sides.