The Ivory Coast international Gervinho, has never managed to cement his place in the starting 11 since his arrival back in 2011. He is at times menacing for the opposition’s defense, and at the same time he can also be frustrating for his own team, his team mates and for manager Arsene Wenger. That is not the case when he plays for his country however, as he always manages to put in impressive performances for Ivory Coast, but struggles to reproduce the same for the Gunners.

There is no questioning Gervinho’s skill, however, his on-off performances for his club have seen him come in and go out of the team constantly. As the previous season ended, he found himself on the bench more often than not as he was chosen behind German international Lukas Podolski on the left flank.

It is being reported that his current role in the team is upsetting him and that he is edging towards a summer exit. There have been links that he is eyeing a move back to France. Metro reveal that Arsenal are aware about Gervinho’s current state and as a result, are planning to insulate themselves against an untimely loss late in the transfer window, as they have already lined up a like for like replacement in the form of Dimitri Payet.

The 26-year old French wide man impressed in the closing stages of last season as he notched up 10 goals and 10 assists. He is being courted by Marseille along with Newcastle United and Arsenal. Reports state that Marseille have already had a bid rejected, and are preparing a fresh bid. Newcastle themselves have been heavily scouting him for over a year now.

Arsenal will have to beat the duo if they are to stand a chance of landing this in-demand attacker. They are weighing up the possibility of bringing Payet to the Emirates Stadium by including Gervinho in the mix, which could possibly see the two swap sides, with Gervinho making a return to Lille, the team he left to join Arsenal.

Do you feel that this deal could work well for both Gervinho and Arsenal?