Arsenal are believed to be finally closing in on St Etienne's Blaise Matuidi.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been monitoring the 22-year old for a few seasons and it now seems the right time to bring him to Emirates Stadium.

Former Arsenal player, Gilles Grimandi is Wenger's chief scout in France and has urged the French tactician to capture the £8million-rated Matuidi now.

Matuidi, a former France U21 winger, is keen to experience a new challenge after impressing in France's Ligue 1.