French Under-21 International Blaise Matuidi has revealed that he could leave Ligue 1 side St Etienne next summer for Arsenal, with the midfielder a target for manager Arsene Wenger during the last transfer window.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had reportedly been on the verge of signing 21-year-old Matuidi just before the transfer window shut in the summer, but Matiudi’s, transfer was blocked by the French club, with the former Troyes player staying at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
Matuidi, who is valued at around £10million has been at les Verts since 2007 and made 36 appearances for St Etienne last season in helping them to 5th place in the French top-flight.
Matuidi has now claimed that he is open to a move to the Emirates Stadium next summer and that he will sit down and discuss his future at the end of the season with St Etienne.
“I asked myself questions at the end of August after Arsenal showed their interest,” Matuidi told The Sun.
“An opportunity to join them is not something ordinary. It gives you great self-esteem - it is Arsenal.
“At the end of the season we will have talks, anything is possible.”
The young Frenchman has also revealed that he is not angry with the Ligue 1 club for blocking his transfer to the Premier League, with Matuidi also conceding that he had no personal contact with Wenger.
“I did not talk to Wenger - but I did not get angry that St Etienne did not let me go,” added Matuidi.
However, St Etienne president Roland Romeyer has revealed that there was contact with the Arsenal boss and that Matuidi’s future will be discussed at the end of this season as Romeyer told Wenger he was not for sale this summer.
“Wenger called me at the end of August to ask if Blaise was for sale. He didn't make an offer as Blaise was not for sale,” said Romeyer.
“Next June we will have a meeting with Blaise and his agent about his future.”
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