Arsenal sent scouts to watch Ligue 1 midfielder last month

Santi Aouna reports for Foot Mercato that Arsenal are interested in teenager Toulouse midfielder Fares Chaibi, sending scouts to watch him at a match between his current side and Strasbourg in October.

Chaibi played 74 minutes of the 2-2 draw, one of 13 appearances he’s made for the Ligue 1 side this season. He has two goals and four assists in those matches.

Arsenal aren’t the only club with an interest in Chaibi, with Sevilla also reportedly ready to make a move for him in the January transfer window. But the Gunners are one of the clubs ready to rival the Spanish side for the signing.

Chaibi has made his breakthrough with Toulouse this season, having only featured on the bench once last campaign, despite his side playing in the French second tier at the time.

But the young talent has immediately made an impression with the Toulouse first team this year, only missing a couple of games for an Appendectomy.

With a contract until 2025, Chaibi won’t necessarily be on the move immediately.

Toulouse might dig in their heels in the hope he’ll extend or his value will increase over the next year or so, and the player may see regular gametime in Ligue 1 as enough of a positive to stick around for a bit longer.

But various sources suggest Arsenal are in the market for a midfielder or a wide player in the January market, and Chaibi has played both roles at times this season.

Chaibi is a strong creator and finisher, and the Gunners have also shown a recent focus on signing young players with big futures.

If they believe the Algeria u23 international fits that description, perhaps they’ll be willing to push for the transfer this winter.