Arsenal enter the race to sign French defensive midfielder

Arsenal have reportedly joined the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Boubakary Soumare from Lille

The France youth international has enhanced his reputation during his three years with Lille and he is now regarded as one of the most promising defensive midfielders in Europe.

United and Tottenham have been deemed to be monitoring the midfielder's progress over the past few months but according to L'Equipe, the Gunners are keen to beat their Premier League rivals in the pursuit of Soumare.

The north London side have sufficient options in the centre of the park but they are slightly concerned over the situation of Granit Xhaka, who could push through a move to Hertha Berlin at the end of the campaign.

Soumare is said to have been earmarked as a possible long-term replacement for the Swiss and the club are prepared to sign him this month in order to aid his adaptation to the Premier League.

Lille are currently not looking at the prospect of offloading their prized asset but various reports claim that they could be tempted to accept a package of around £40m for the former Paris Saint-Germain graduate.