by Lewis Ambrose

A report on sport.fr on Monday morning said that Arsenal had launched a move for Nicolas N’Koulou of Olympique Marseille, but something doesn’t quite add up.

The article cited Daily Express as a source but earlier this month Daily Express commented on why an Arsenal move for the defender would almost certainly be fruitless.

The French website say that Marseille’s financial issues are well documented and hardly leaves them in any position to negotiate with clubs, but Marseille president Vincent Labrune has more or less labelled the defender as indispensable.

“We know how important he is for us. What he brings us on the pitch is more important than money in a transfer,” said Labrune.

Arsenal have been linked with the 25 year-old defender in the past, and he has blossomed into a key player at Marseille since his move from Monaco four years ago.

Versatile

There’s no doubt that N’Koulou would be an attractive prospect for Arsene Wenger, especially as he is capable of playing in midfield as well as defence.

The Cameroonian is now well established at Marseille and it seems pretty clear that the club isn’t interested in letting him go, whether or not there is genuine interest from Arsenal.