Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC are set to engage in a battle to sign Marseille striker Andre-Pierre Gignac.
According to Tuttosport, Inter Milan, who seem to be very active in the transfer market, have also joined the race for the Marseille forward. The France international’s current contract with Bielsa’s side expires at the end of this season and Marseille have admitted defeat in getting him to extend his contract due to wage issues. Hence, he will be available on a free transfer in the summer.
Christopher Hutteau, Gignaca s agent, specifically spoke about the two Premier League clubs last year: a Given the fact that he is not very old, he has a real market value. This is a striker with a relatively atypical profile, responsive to the physical challenge, the archetypal player who can succeed at a big club. He can play in England, Arsenal or Liverpool, no problem. For me, it is between a 12 million (A?9.5m) and a 15 million (A?11m).a
It is unclear whether the report means for the Reds or Gunners to engage in a transfer battle this winter or in the summer. It would make sense for Marseille to want to get some cash for an important player so one can’t rule out a potential winter move. However, the Phoceens are currently embroiled in a title race and could very well go on to win the league so it doesn’t make any sense for them to let go of a key member of the team, especially since their squad is so thin at the moment. Moreover, even the player, affectionately called “Big Mac” wouldn’t want to give up an exciting title chase for the bench in the Premier League, something he would get at both Liverpool and Arsenal.
Gignac joined Marseille in August 2010 from Toulouse for a sum believed to be in the region of a 16a 18 million. He has scored 13 goals in the league this season and his brilliant form got him recalled to the French national team.
It now remains to be seen whether either one of the suitors will place an offer in the winter wait until the end of the season to see if they can sign Gignac for free.
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