Arsenal transfer latest! Gunners yet to table bid for highly-rated French defender, says Laurens

Arsenal have yet to table a bid for highly-rated defender Loic Perrin, but a deal in the region of £8million could be wrapped up before the end of the January transfer window.

That's according to French football expert Julien Laurens, who joined talkSPORT to share all the latest transfer talk from across the Channel.

Arsene Wenger is a long-term admirer of the 29-year-old Saint Etienne captain, whose versatility along the back-four as well as in midfield would solve one of the manager’s main issues with his current squad.

Perrin recently revealed the north London club have made contact over a possible deal, and while Laurens reveals the Gunners haven’t yet made an official approach, he expects the move to go through later this month.

The Le Parisien writer told Drivetime: “Arsene Wenger is a long-time fan of Loic Perrin and has already made contract with the player’s representatives, however there has been no bid made to Saint Etienne.

“I spoke to one of the club’s chairmen and he was quite clear that they would sell him if the right offer comes, but there haven’t been any bids from Arsenal yet.

“He’s a very a good defender, one of the best in France and one of the best in the whole of Europe as well.

“He’s very good in the air, but for me his best quality is that he is very clever on the pitch. He reads the game very well, he anticipates and he’s really good on the ball on the well, which would suit Arsenal’s style.

“I think they would probably sell for around £7million or £8million, which is the right price for Arsenal, and I think a deal could be done later this month.”