Arsenal will step up their scouting of Paris Saint-Germain centre back Mamadou Sakho ahead of a possible bid in the summer. Sakho has seen talks over a new contract with the Ligue One outift break down.
The 20-year-old has been followed by Arsenal since he impressed for France’s Under 16 team in 2006, and scouts have watched his progress with both PSG and the national team over recent years. He made his debut for his home town club aged just 17 and has consistently been linked with the Gunners in the European media.
Sakho is a six foot two inch centre half who posses excellent physical qualities and good technique. A selection of clubs from England, Italy and Spain have all sent scouts to watch him, but interest cooled last year after a poor opening half of the season. He has since recovered his best form and a move in the summer is almost inevitable.
However, questions have been raised over Mamadou’s attitude and mentality. Last year PSG were forced to offer an apology on behalf of their player after he physically attacked a journalist from Le Parisien, who published a crtical article on his conduct at a night club, hours after a defeat to Lorient.
French newspaper L’Equipe claimed earlier in the week that Arsenal had been in touch with PSG, and published details of an apparent contract offer and transfer fee. That report is believed to be wide of the mark, but Paris based scout Gilles Grimandi has made low level contact in the past.
Sakho’s negotiations over a new contract have broken down with PSG, and Arsenal are ready to step up their scouting of the youngster with a potential bid in mind for the summer.
Arsène Wenger should get a chance to look at Sakho next week, as he’s been named in the France National Team to play Brazil at the Stade de France. Mamadou could even partner Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny at centre half after he received his first call up. Wenger regularly works as an analyst on France for a number of TV networks.