Tottenham and Arsenal are reportedly vying for the signature of Nice star Jean Seri.
Nice midfielder Jean Seri in action
According to a report from The Guardian, Arsenal and Tottenham have both held informal meetings with representatives of Nice midfielder Jean Seri about a summer move.
Seri, 25, joined Nice from Portuguese outfit Pacos de Ferreira in the summer of 2015, and whilst he impressed in Ligue 1 last season with three goals and six assists, he has really exploded this season.
The Ivorian has notched six goals and nine assists in Ligue 1 this season, playing a huge role in Lucien Favre’s impressive Nice side this season – and his exploits are unsurprisingly attracting great interest.
The Guardian report that North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are both keen on Seri, and even held informal meetings with Seri’s representatives in London last week.
Nice star Jean Seri in action against Saint-Etienne
It’s noted that Barcelona, Leicester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Southampton are also interested in signing the Ivory Coast international, both Arsenal and Spurs appear to be trying to jump the queue.
Nice are believed to want around £20million for Seri, but a bidding war between a host of clubs could end up pushing the price closer to the £33million release clause in the midfielder’s Nice contract.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino shake hands
Arsenal splashed the cash on Swiss international Granit Xhaka last summer, but manager Arsene Wenger may see Seri as his midfield partner, rather than existing Gunners midfielders such as Francis Coquelin or Mohamed Elneny.
Meanwhile, Tottenham’s switch to a 3-4-2-1 system has seen Eric Dier drop in to play as a defender, whilst Harry Winks’ injury has left Spurs a little short in the middle of the park, with Seri potentially viewed as competition for Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama – if they can beat their fierce rivals to his signature.
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