Arsenal make transfer decision on Ibrahima Bamba

Arsenal have decided against pursuing the services of Vitoria de Guimaraes defender Ibrahima Bamba this month.

The Gunners have been keeping tabs on the 20-year-old for a number of months but they have yet to make a formal bid.

Bamba's agent was in London recently but Sport Italia claim that the club have no plans of signing him at the current point of time.

They are expected to continue to monitor him until the summer before considering whether to make a formal transfer approach.

Bamba is regarded as one of the best young midfielders in the Portuguese top-flight. He is also on the radar of Napoli and Atalanta.

The Serie A duo are not planning to sign him in January either and there could be a big bidding war at the end of the campaign.

The youngster has a release clause worth €30 million on his contract and Vitoria could hold out for a similar fee in the summer.