Arsenal are confident of a deal for St Etienne midfielder Blaise Matuidi.

The Guardian says Arsenal's own squad strengthening continues with the club hopeful of securing the St Etienne midfielder Matuidi for around £3m.

The 22-year-old, who was a regular at the French club last season and a France Under-21 international, has spent the last few days in talks in London and should join the Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen, a £10m acquisition from Ajax, at the Emirates next season.

Matuidi had also interested Everton and Tottenham, but Arsène Wenger looks to have won the race to sign the defensive midfielder.