Arsenal Lining Up Replacement Left back

Arsenal are preparing to fill the void left by Gael Clichy's £7 million move to Manchester City, by lining up Lyon defender Aly Cissokho.

According to reports Arsene Wenger is keen to bring in the Frenchman, who has been linked with a surprise move to Liverpool.

Cissokho is reportedly keen to move to the Premier League, but favours a move to London over Merseyside. When posed with the question of moving to England earlier this year he said: "I think this [the Premier League] is a league that suits me. It is a league where you can show power and get forward."

However, at the time the French international was coy as to revealing his ideal destination. "Whether it is clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City, now Liverpool or Chelsea, they are clubs you dream about," he said.

Since joining from Porto in 2009, Cissokho has displayed his strength and ability to both attack and defend, key attributes Wenger as outlined in his search for a new left-back.

The Arsenal boss had been preparing a bid for Newcastle's sought after Jose Enrique, but with the player looking close to a move to Liverpool, that leaves Arsenal in the driving seat to snap up 23-year-old Cissokho.

There are suggestions that the defender could be snapped up for £10 million, although Lyon are hoping to hold out for around £12 million.

Aly Cissokho Set for Manchester City Move

Lyon full-back Aly Cissokho has caught the attention of Manchester City, who could tempt the French club with a £21.3 million bid.France Football reports that the agent of the 23-year-old met with City directors for talks on Monday, but The Sun claims City's interest in him is not new and they could use Lyon's need for cash to entice them into making a deal.Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini holds the left-back in high esteem and would like him to join his club.The coach, however, is keeping options open with Everton's Leighton Baines said to be in view if Cissokho stays in France.Cissokho was set for Italian giants AC Milan in 2009, but the move collapsed after he was said to have failed a last-minute medical.

The Frenchman is tied to the Stade Gerland outfit until 2014 after joining them from Porto in 2009.

Manchester City close in on French Ace

Manchester City are closing in on £20million-rated Lyon ace Aly Cissokho, according to The Sun.City chiefs Gary Cook and Brian Marwood flew to France earlier this week to negotiate a deal for the 23-year-old defender.The Citizens look set to clinch their first big signing of the summer with Lyon keen to sell the highly-rated full-back in order to fund their own transfer plans.Roberto Mancini has received glowing scouting reports of Cissokho; the player is a powerful and pacy left-back who likes to bomb forward.He has three years left on his contract and has captured the attention of Europe with his marauding displays since signing from Porto in 2009 for 12million.The Italian is determined to have two top-class stars for each position and wants competition for Serbian Aleksandar Kolarov.

Liverpool have also been linked with Cissokho, however the Anfield club may be priced out of a move by Citys financial power

Villa close to sealing £6.5million midfielder

Aston Villa are close to sealing a £6.5million deal to sign Lyon midfielder Jean Makoun.Villa manager Gerard Houllier flew to his native France to hold talks with his former club on Wednesday over Makoun. The signs are positive that Cameroon international Makoun is on the verge of becoming Houllier's first major signing since taking charge at Villa.Houllier has already admitted Makoun would be a major asset if he joins Villa.
He said: "Makoun could be a good asset for us because he is experienced, has played in the Champions League with Lille and Lyon."He is exactly what we need at times. He can play as a holding player or as a box-to-box midfielder."Former Liverpool boss Houllier is also keen to bring in a new striker during January.

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