There could be some good news for Premier League duo Arsenal and Liverpool as Anderlecht defender Chelkhou Kouyate wants a transfer to England.
The Senegal international has publicly revealed that the 24-year-old has been in discussions with English clubs and the Gunners appear to be leading the way.
“I have been in talks with representatives from Liverpool and Arsenal over Cheikhou Kouyate,” the player’s agent Saffet Balkan was quoted by the Daily Star.
“Arsenal are very interested in Kouyate. It’s very likely that he’ll be joining a Premier League club soon.”
Kouyate was in London for the 2012 Olympics, at which time Arsene Wenger watched the centre-back and was impressed by the Senegalese star.
There is further good news for any interested party in England, as despite being from Africa the defender has been granted a Belgian passport after living in the country for seven years and therefore would not need to apply for a work permit.
That could have been a problem as to date Kouyate has only earned 10 caps for the Senegal national team.
The defensive ace generally plays in central defence, but can also operate in defensive midfield and may be viewed by Wenger as a replacement for club captain Thomas Vermaelen.
Vermaelen has struggled with form of late and has been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium in the January transfer window.
The Reds meanwhile are perhaps not in such need for support at the back, having signed Tiago Ilori, Mamadou Sakho and Kolo Toure in the summer.
via Fanatix
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