Sport.co.uk anounced that Arsenal target Lacina Traore is a confirmed target for Serie A side Udinese, and that the two leading European clubs are the front runners for the 6ft 8in striker’s signature. In an exclusive interview with Sport.co.uk a representative close to the striker revealed that Udinese have registered their interest and are keen to take the giant striker to Italy. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is still interested in the player but has yet to make an offer.Traore currently plies his trade at FC Cluj but is very interested in moving to a top European side in order to break through into the Ivory Coast first team set up. Traore, despite scoring 9 goals in 29 topflight appearances for the Romanian club was overlooked for his country’s African Cup of Nations squad.
In an exclusive interview with Sport.co.uk Traore’s representative, Thomas Boehm, made clear that Arsenal have not contacted him personally, but confirmed that the player’s club FC Cluj had been approached. Boehm also confirmed that a host of top European clubs were preparing bids for his client.
“The situation regarding Traore is as follows; the player and I are aware of the rumours of interest from Arsenal, but there are other clubs interested as well in the player. I can confirm that no one from Arsenal has contacted me directly,” Boehm told Sport.co.uk.
“I have had no information from Arsenal regarding the player. The only contact is with FC Cluj, nobody from Arsenal has called me, and the only interest I have received is from other clubs. We will have to wait and see.”
The president of FC Cluj, Iuliua Muresan, revealed yesterday that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had enquired about the possibility of signing the lanky hit-man dubbed the “new Adebayor.”
Speaking to Romanian sports publication Prosport, he stated:
„We have had contact from Arsenal but we have not received a concrete offer yet.”Four million euros is close to the amount we are seeking.”
In response to the transfer rumours linking the Ivorian with a move to the Emirates, the player told the Romanian media how a January move to the Gunners would be a dream come true.
„It would be a dream for me to get to play on a team so great. I have a chance there because Arsene Wenger relies heavily on young players. There is great pressure on me now because I am being linked with big European clubs, but this is my ambition”, said the player.
