Arsenal are still in pursuit of Nice central midfielder Jean Michael Seri this summer, according to a reliable journalist.
The Guardian’s deputy sport editor Ed Aarons has claimed that the Gunners are interested in securing the Ivory Coast international, 25, despite appearing to have fallen back in the race for his signing.
Aarons had previously claimed that European giants PSG and Roma had both tabled offers for the attack minded central midfielder, while chief football editor at RMC Sport Mohamed Boufasi reported that Arsenal’s local rivals Tottenham had also made a move.
However, the Guardian man has now reported on his personal Twitter account that Arsenal are holding interest in Seri, while Roma are baulking at his £35million (€40million) release clause.
Understand that Arsenal are still interested in signing Jean Michaël #Seri from Nice. Roma unwilling to meet his €40m release clause
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) June 28, 2017
The news will be welcomed by Arsenal fans, with the Gunners’ only arrival so far this summer that of Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer.
The Guardian have claimed that while there is that release clause included in Seri’s contract, Nice would be willing to do a deal of around £20million to let him depart.
Seri joined Nice from Pacos Ferreira in the summer of 2015, making 80 appearances to date, and he hit the form of his life last season as he helped his side to a third placed finish in Ligue 1.
In his 34 league appearances during the last campaign, Seri hit the back of the net on seven occasions while he also managed to chip in with nine assists.
He also has 13 caps for the Ivory Coast, having made his debut in September 2015, while his only goal for his country came in a 3-0 win over Liberia.