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Arsenal in £8.5m bid for Josuha Guilavogui as Newcastle look to hold onto Yohan Cabaye
ARSENAL have stepped up their attempts to sign a new midfielder by lodging an £8.5m bid for St Etienne's Josuha Guilavogui.
Arsenal's interest in Guilavogui was first reported in France last week, with the Gunners thought to be considering the French international as an alternative to Newcastle's Yohan Cabaye.
Arsenal were reported to be preparing a further £17m bid for Cabaye having had an £11m offer turned down last week, but according to Le10Sport the Gunners have now turned their attentions to Guilavogui, who would appear to be available for a significantly lower amount.
Ironically, Newcastle have also been linked with a move for Guilavogui should they lose Cabaye before the end of the transfer window.
Guilavogui turns 23 next week but the paper reports that he is "not certain to cut his birthday cake" with Les Verts in light of Arsenal's interest.
St Etienne have already sold Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Borussia Dortmund for £11m but could be willing to let Guilavogui leave to fund new arrivals.
The club have been linked with a move for West Ham striker Modibo Maiga this summer and the fee they receive for Guilavogui could help strengthen their bid for the Mali international.
Guilavogui, meanwhile, is a French youth international and recently made his debut for the senior team featuring in the games against Uruguay, Brazil and Belguim.
He primarily plays as a defensive midfielder at St Etienne but can also play as an emergency centre-back if required.