Enzo Maresca gets 'perfect' Chelsea transfer instruction for Arsenal target in Mikel Arteta blow

Former Arsenal star Bacary Sagna has explained why Chelsea may be the "perfect" club to sign Youssouf Fofana this summer.

Both the Gunners and the Blues have been linked with a move to sign Fofana when the summer transfer window opens later this month. The Monaco midfielder is currently with the France squad preparing to feature at Euro 2024.

Reports in recent months have seen Arsenal heavily linked with signing a new midfielder, with Fofana apparently on the list of potential targets. Chelsea are also mentioned in some reports as targeting a midfielder, as new manager Enzo Maresca begins to assess his squad ahead of pre-season.

Fofana himself has recently spoken about his own future, hinting that he could leave Monaco this summer. And now Sagna, who made 284 appearances for Arsenal, has explained why Fofana may be better off signing for Chelsea this summer.

"Youssouf Fofana is definitely ready to come and join one of the top teams in the Premier League," Sagna told CoinPoker.

"I think he is a great player. He’s very active. He’s good on the ball, very aggressive without it and he’s been a part of the French national team for months now.

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"He knows what it’s like to compete for a place with world-class players. He has big-game experience. He played the World Cup.

"I think he’s ready for [the] Premier League and I won’t be surprised to see him leaving Monaco this summer. Out of all the teams that have been linked with him, I actually think he would be a perfect fit for Chelsea.

"Chelsea are lacking a player like him in the middle of the park – they need some more strength in the middle of the pitch, because there were times last season where they were getting overrun. They were exposed. Fofana would bring that security and a real physical presence to their midfield."