Arsenal are reportedly lining up a double raid on Marseille.
Arsene Wenger, who on Thursday admitted that the Gunners are short on bodies at the back, is now exploring the possibility of snapping up Marseille defender Stephane Sparagna on a free transfer in January, according to the Daily Star.
The highly rated 19-year-old broke into the Ligue 1 outfit's first team this season, making his debut in a 3-3 draw against Bastia in August. Sparagna is highly rated but his contract expires in December, prompting an interest from the north Londoners.
Marseille are understood to be desperate to keep the French prodigy in their ranks but Arsenal and Rennes have now entered the race to sign him.
The newspaper adds that Wenger is also interested in Sparagna's teammate Florian Thauvin.
Wenger has been a long-time admirer of the attacking midfielder and, according to the report, the French tactician is now considering an approach for the 21-year-old. Thauvin, who joined Marseille from Bastia just last year, notched up nine goals and four assists from 25 league appearances last season.
The France U-21 international, who is also heavily linked to Inter Milan, admitted the interest in him is flattering but insisted he is happy at Marseille.
"It's flattering [interest from elsewhere]. [But] I am a Marseille player and they are a big club too. Here I feel really good," Thauvin pointed out
Arsenal have an overdose of attacking midfielders but with the team struggling to create chances in big matches, Wenger seems to have turned his attention to a new young playmaker, with Schalke's Julian Draxler also repeatedly linked.
