Arsenal will get a close look at Montpellier defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa this week. The Sun says he was Arsene Wenger's No 1 target to bolster his back-line this summer but Montpellier told Arsenal he was not for sale.

The Gunners have already snapped up Olivier Giroud from the French champs for £13million.

Montpellier boss Rene Girard kept Yanga-Mbiwa, 23, for the Champions League but he is out of contract next summer so is free to talk to Arsenal in January and join for nothing at the end of the season.