Monaco right-back Djibril Sidibe says he would consider a move to Arsenal of Barcelona this summer, but only if he is guaranteed regular game time.
The 24-year-old rejected the chance to join Arsenal last summer from Lille and instead opted to join Monaco, where he has featured regularly and flourished under manager Leandro Jardim.
Sidibe has helped Monaco top the Ligue 1 table and also reach the Champions League quarter-finals this season. His impressive displays for club and country have attracted the attentions of some of Europe’s finest clubs, and while he has ambition to play for a prestigious side in the future, the France international will want assurances before departing the Stade Louis II:
The full-back told RMC (via Goal.com):
“The risk is going to a big club to be a replacement, to go backwards and to be loaned away – it’s complicated. My criteria, it’s playing time. After that, if a club I could not refuse guaranteed me time to play, I would have to think.
“Every player wants to play against the best in the best leagues. Today, I’m lucky to play with Monaco in a good team. We’re in the Champions League, we’re scoring lots of goals and we’re still capable of winning every competition.
“I’m very happy at Monaco.”
Arsenal could be in the market for a right-back this summer with reports suggesting Barcelona are readying a £35million bid for Hector Bellerin, who has since labelled the link to his former club as ‘special’.
Should Bellerin depart the Emirates at the end of the season, Arsenal likely look to replace the Spaniard, and Sidibe would be the perfect candidate for the job in many fans’ eyes.