Arsenal eye Auxerre’s electric youngster as Kalou stays with Lille

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has sounded out a move for Auxerre forward Paul-Georges Ntep after Lille confirmed Salomon Kalou would be staying at the club.

Wenger was said to be interested in bring the former Chelsea forward back to the Premier League but after being told of his unavailability, the French manager has now turned his attentions to Auxerre’s Ntep.

The Gunners boss is keen to avoid a costly outlay this month so there is method to targeting Ntep.

The Ligue 2 side are reportedly aware of the Gunners’ interest and have placed an £8 million price on Ntep’s head but Wenger is confident of negotiating the deal down.

German side Borussia Monchengladbach are also said to be interested in the French Under-21 international and are currently favourites to sign Ntep.

That could be the second player Wenger has missed out on already this month after Lille president Michel Seydoux confirmed Kalou won’t be leaving.

“It’s only gossip,” he told Eurosport. “I’ll tell you two things: No English club have contacted me about Kalou and, anyway, we are not going to sell.

“Kalou will not leave the club this winter.”