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Arsenal could use Rennes clash to make transfer contact with winger Ismaila Sarr
ARSENAL are in talks to sign Rennes winger Ismaila Sarr after the first-leg between the sides last Thursday.
Arsenal target Ismaila Sarr shares intense training session
That is according to reports in France, who claim tonight's clash could help Arsenal begin their move for Sarr.
Arsenal lost 3-1 in Brittany last week as Sokratis Papastathopoulos’ red card sent the Gunners misfiring.
It was Sarr who the Greek defender dragged down as the pacy winger bore down on goal, and Rennes’ equaliser from the resultant free-kick opened wounds on which the Ligue 1 side pounced.
Sarr capped off the win with a third two minutes from time, meeting a beautifully whipped cross with a bullet header.
The Senegalese garnered interest from former Arsenal head of recruitment Sven Mislintat for his performances since moving to France in 2016.
The winger is adept on either flank and has made 33 goal contributions in 81 Ligue 1 appearances.
Arsenal were closing in on Sarr until Mislintat left his post in north London last month.
But Goal France are reporting that Arsenal officials held preliminary talks with the 21-year-old following last week’s match.
I still have two or three years of contract remaining. I focus on my season and Rennes.
The player has a contract with Rennes until June 2021 and extinguished chatter of a move away last summer, some of which linked him with Barcelona.
"I think I will stay in Rennes,” he told Ouest France.
“I still have two or three years of contract remaining. I focus on my season and Rennes. It's too early to leave.”
Arsenal manager Unai Emery was complimentary of Rennes ahead of tonight’s showdown, from which the Gunners are the favourites to progress despite their two-goal deficit.
Arsenal: Emery admits Rennes clash will be a 'tough game'
“They are a good team in a good moment and they have quality with different players.
“They have fresh spirit and fresh players playing offensively and they are organised defensively.
“They showed they have the possibility to win against us, but after this big respect to them.
“We will try and push starting with our supporters and a big atmosphere helping us. With our gameplan and capacity we can come back against them.”