Source: Telegraph
Arsenal target Blaise Matuidi 'will cost a lot of money' insist St ?tienne
It is understood that the 22 year-old is among the players being watched carefully by Wenger's scouts over the past year and is regarded as the sort of holding midfielder who would add defensive stability to the team.
Damien Comolli, Arsenal's former European scout and now the St Étienne sporting director, accepts that Matuidi will eventually leave for an elite European club, but says that the France Under-21 international is only available for a high price.
"We never wanted to sell him, he is our captain and a major player for us," said Comolli. "He's done well for us last season but we convinced him to stay.
"I'm not being naive, I know it will be difficult to keep him and know he will end up in England or one of the top clubs in Europe. Whoever comes for him, it will cost them a lot of money."
As well as Arsenal, there is understood to be interest in Matuidi from some of France's leading clubs, including Monaco and Bordeaux.
