Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has stepped up his interest in Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama by sending a scout to watch the player in action in the Champions League game against Juventus.
There is little doubt that Wenger has earmarked the signing of a purely defensive midfielder as a priority in the summer, with Etienne Capoue being the other major target.
Toulouse reportedly rejected a last-minute bid from Arsenal for Capoue, with Wenger himself admitting he had missed out on a player before the January window closed on Jan. 31.
Wanyama is another who has been on Arsenal's radar for quite a while now, and his impressive performances for Celtic, particularly in this season's Champions League, have not gone unnoticed.
Wenger asked for a detailed report on the midfielder's performance, according to the Daily Telegraph, in a game which Celtic lost 3-0 to Juve.
Arsenal are in dire need of a defensive midfielder, even if the likes of Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey, in the Spaniard's absence, have impressed.
There have been times when the Gunners defense has been left starkly exposed due to the lack of a player who will always sit ahead of the defenders and act as a screening presence, something that Arsenal have lacked since the departure of Gilberto Silva.
Meanwhile, defender Andre Santos explained the reasons behind his decision to leave the club and opt for a loan move to Brazilian side Gremio, saying the arrival of Nacho Monreal made it clear to him he would not start a game again this season.
"This (the signing of Monreal) was a last-minute deal and a clear message to me that I would not start for the rest of the season," Santos said.
"The idea is to go there, play well and be able to come back strong. Do I have a future at the club? For sure. This is a loan deal and after this season we will see where everything stands. I always wanted to stay here until the end of my contract."
Santos' contract with Arsenal expires only in 2015, and the left-back said he still could not understand the furore that was created when he asked for Robin Van Persie's shirt at halftime during Arsenal's game at Old Trafford against Manchester United earlier this season.
"You guys have a different culture than me and it is still very hard to understand why people hold this grudge over me," Santos added. "The relationship was very good until the incident with Van Persie.
"I have apologised and moved on. I have all my respect to the fans of Arsenal. Hopefully soon I will be back and giving them many happiness."
