Gervinho close to Arsenal deal

Gervinho has said that he is close to completing a transfer to Arsenal from Lille.

The Ivorian international captain commented that there are “only a few details to sort out” after the parties’ negotiations throughout last month.

Several top clubs including Manchester City, Spurs and Paris Saint-Germain had been interested, but the 24-year-old stated that Emirates was his favoured destination.

“I’m glad to have taken a route through the French league but now I will go to London,” he told France Football magazine.

“I chose Arsenal because it’s a young group within which I will be able to fit in easily. I can develop myself over there.”

The striker helped Lille to a Ligue 1 and Coup de France double last season, scoring 15 goals.