Loic Perrin confirms Arsenal contact

The St Etienne captain has been linked with a move to north London for a number of months, and with the January transfer window now open, Perrin has revealed that he has had contact with the Premier League outfit regarding a possible switch to the Premier League.

The 29-year-old is valued at around £6 million and is believed to be one of Arsene Wenger’s top targets.

Speaking after the Ligue 1 club’s Coupe de France victory over AS Nance, the defender said: “I have been contacted personally.

“Arsenal is interested, but for now there is still no contact with Saint-Etienne.”

Eurosport France’s Martin Mosnier: “Perrin is the best centre back in Ligue 1 this season. He was selected in the best Ligue 1 team last season alongside Thiago Silva. Didier Deschamps recognises that Perrin is a very reliable centre back and Perrin was in the preliminary squad for France’s 2014 World Cup team.

He is extremely professional and his positional sense is his best attribute (he won 143 aerial duels in 2014 – more than anybody in L1). His statistics are fantastic.

I had his agent on the phone yesterday. He told me that there was nothing yet. Arsenal just sought out Information and everything stopped there. He also told me: “Everybody would be really sad if Loïc Perrin decides to leave ASSE, but everybody would understand that (his decision).”

In other words, if Arsenal make an €8 million offer, Perrin would leave Saint-Etienne for London.”