Arsene Wenger wants to sign Lyon left-back Aly Cissokho to replace the departed Gael Clichy, according to reports in France.
It is thought that Cissokho could cost Arsenal up to £11 million for his services, as he has three-years left on his current contract.
The 23-year-old Frenchman has been with Lyon since 2009, although the move did have its complications in a transfer saga that just has to be read to be believed.
Cissokho, who was playing for Porto at the time, was the subject of a €15 million deal to move to A.C. Milan.
On the 14th of June 2009, the Serie A outfit announced that they had signed the full-back, subject to a medical. Cissokho underwent his medical on the 16th of June. However, the very next day it was revealed that the Frenchman had failed it due to a problem with his teeth that indicated impending spinal problems. Due to this, the move was on the verge of collapsing.
Later that day, the Lyon defender declared that he had passed a second medical, and that he had signed a pre-contract agreement. Meanwhile, the Italian giants tried to re-negotiate the bid, and instead take Cissokho on a loan deal due to his health concerns. However, both Milan and Porto failed to reach an agreement, which left Milan vice-president, Adriano Galliani, announcing that the deal had been cancelled.
Evidently, this paved the way for Lyon to make their move for the left-back, and within the following month, the French club had announced that they had reached an agreement with Porto for the transfer of Cissokho, in a deal which equalled Milan’s €15 million bid.
All in all he does look like a good signing for Arsenal. However, is it another case of ‘just another name’ that has been linked with the club, or is he in fact a concrete transfer target?
I believe Cissokho has all the attributes to succeed at the Emirates. He has been described as a ‘sprightly left-back with good speed and stamina’ and is also very technically sound and a strong full-back. The only thing that concerns me is the player’s potential health problems, but I’m sure Wenger and his backroom staff have already taken this into consideration.
The €15 million (approximately £13.4 million) price-tag shouldn’t be a problem for Wenger this summer, especially if he wishes to strengthen his side for the upcoming season.
In all honesty, I think only time will tell if this deal will in fact go through. We definitely need someone to fill the space left by Clichy’s departure, and we need to fill it sooner rather than later.
Nonetheless, would Cissokho be an ideal replacement for Clichy?
Like what you read? Then follow me on Twitter – http://twitter.com/UKVampire
Visit and Join our Facebook page, click HERE to do so.
Gunnersphere is currently looking for new writers to join the squad. Contact via twitter or at Gunnersphere@snack-media.com for further details.
hes perfect
Solid player. Similar to Clichy but stronger frame like Eboue.
he would be the perfect replacement !
Looks like another Bacary Sagna, get this machine fast.
dude he is better than clichy and will be better than evra….get him now.
Please sign him before alex faguson hijak him
Traore plus £7m could clinch it.
Sounds great. But we should make it 9-10 millions to be sure…
uummmmm Ain’t that a picture of Sakho, that aint Sissokho!!
Unless Sakho tranferred to Lyon from PSG and no one told me. Get Sakho too!!! The 2 of them would be a great start of rebuilding from the back.
Nah that’s Cissokho mate, they do look alike though haha
he’s perfect for replacement but the problem is will WENGER really make a bid for him? WENGER still targeting and interested in buying players but never seem to be exited in signing new players. He should know that just targeting will not lead the club to glory
Question: what about Gibbs? He’s got England caps and looks just as good as Clichy (IMO). Why are we paying him thirty grand a week (or whatever) if we’re not going to give him a crack? I say play him till christmas and if he’s not good enough then move for someone else. But thats just me.