Arsenal 'plotting move for Youssouf Fofana' as Declan Rice alternative

Arsenal are plotting a move to sign Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana as an alternative to Declan Rice, according to reports.

The Gunners have targeted Rice since January, and have already had two bids turned down for the player by West Ham in the current transfer window.

Interest from Manchester City has complicated matters, though, but Arsenal are preparing a third bid worth a club-record £100 million, it has been reported.

Either way, the Gunners appear to be seeking alternatives in case a deal for Rice doesn't materialise, with the Arsenal midfield a key area that manager Mikel Arteta wants to improve this summer.

And he appears to have located an ideal midfielder to add to their squad in Fofana, who played in the World Cup for France last year.

Arsenal 'plotting move for Youssouf Fofana'

According to French outlet L'Equipe (via GFFN), Arsenal have identified Fofana as a potential target for this summer, having shown an interest in the player.

However, there is set to be competition for the 24-year-old midfielder, with Newcastle also said to have joined the race to sign him.

And West Ham are also involved as they scout for a replacement for Rice, who is almost certain to leave the club whether that be to Arsenal or Manchester City. He has also previously been linked to Liverpool and Chelsea.

The report claims that Fofana will be allowed to leave Monaco if a 'reasonable offer' arrives from one of the interested clubs, but adds that no official bid has been presented to the principality as of yet.

A defensive midfielder by trade, Fofana made six appearances for France at the World Cup, with two of those starts. He played 25 minutes in the final against Argentina as a substitute, after starting the semi-final win over Morocco following an illness that spread through the French camp.

He made 36 appearances for Monaco in Ligue 1 last term, scoring two goals, providing two assists and topping the club's statistic charts for average interceptions and clearances per game (via WhoScored).