Arsenal Bidding To Sign Clement Grenier From Lyon

Arsenal Bidding To Sign Clement Grenier From Lyon

With Arsene Wenger trying to get his transfer buys moving, Arsenal executives are in talks with Lyon over a deal for their attacking midfielder Clement Grenier, but initial reports suggest their first £6 million bid has been turned down by the French outfit. The good news for the Gunners is that Grenier is flattered by the interest shown by Wenger and Arsenal and likes the Arsenal way which could be useful leverage for the club if they have difficulty getting Lyon to play ball on this transfer.

The Gunners have had Grenier on their wish list as the dynamic midfielder has been rated highly in France. Wenger has been struggling to form the core of his midfield over the past few seasons due to injuries to his key players. Abou Diaby had a lot to offer when he burst onto the scene at the club, but injuries have led to a decline in the consistency of his performances. Jack Wilshere is slowly returning back to his best, but not without small injury set-backs like the recent surgery which kept him out of the England matches against Ireland and Brazil.


The 22-year old Grenier started his career at FC Annonay in 1997 as a youngster, and his talent was soon recognized by Lyon, who signed him on a youth contract in 2002. He spent 7 years until 2009 at the youth academy, before he was rewarded with a senior contract with the club. The midfielder grabbed the opportunity to play for the elite club, and ever since, has played 67 times for the French side, scoring 6 goals.

Grenier has been active on the international scene, having begun his French career at the age of 16, when he was picked for the French Under-16 side. As he progressed in the Lyon academy, he was chosen for the Under-17, Under-18, Under-19, Under 20 and Under-21 side, projecting himself as a potential senior player for France.

As we enter the month of July, clubs all over Europe will start their pre-season preparations, and managers will be trying to secure most of the squad they plan to use next season. However, certain clubs will have to deal with absenteeism due to the extended break given to players who represented their country in the FIFA Confederations Cup.