Arsenal and Newcastle have been given a lift in their attempts to sign Marseille striker Andre Pierre Gignac.
Gignac’s contract runs out at the end of the season and the French club have admitted they may have to sell the forward, who is the Ligue 1 top scorer so far this term with 10 goals.
French tax reforms and Gignac’s red hot form will make it increasingly difficult for Marseille to hold onto their prized asset.
Club president Vincent Labrune was realistic about Gignac’s future. “We would like to keep him, but it seems to me utopian to think that he will lower his salary to stay with us.”
However Labrune was hopeful that Gignac’s love for Marseille would convince him to not be tempted by a move abroad.
“His agent is right to say that, with his current displays, he is more likely to get better offers. But he loves the city and the club, so we’re going to talk.”
Arsene Wenger is interested in signing his fellow Frenchman whilst Newcastle want to add a quality goalscorer to add to their French revolution.
Gignac would become the eighth French player on Newcastle’s books.
By Joseph Richardson
