Classic Wenger? Arsenal linked with move to sign injury prone Frenchman

Surprise, surprise! Arsenal are reportedly looking at landing a French starlet in January.

This time the Gunners are on the trail of Marseille youngster Stephane Sparagna, who has suffered injury problems in recent years, so talkSPORT takes a look at his credentials…

Name: Stephane Sparagna
Date of birth: 17 February, 1995
Birthplace: Marseille, France
Position: Defender
Club: Marseille

What’s the latest?

According to a report in French newspaper La Marseillaise, Arsenal are targeting central defender Sparagna, 19, whose youth contract with the Ligue 1 side ends in December and is unlikely to be extended due to his dubious injury record. Arsenal could be set to rival Rennes and Udinese for his signature.

Did you know?

1) Born in Marseille, Sparagna worked his way through the club’s youth sides and featured heavily in their friendlies this summer.

2) The 19-year-old idolises Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos and Paris Saint-Germain star Thiago Silva.

3) Sparagna made his debut for Marseille’s first-team in a 3-3 draw with Bastia but only played the opening 45 minutes after requesting to be substituted. He has since made two more appearances.

4) With Sparagna looking good in his appearances so far he was called up by Francis Smerecki to France’s Under-20 side for their friendly ties with Czech Republic.

5) With Marseille he has been called ‘The Little Van Buyten’ and is also, thanks to his versatility, compared to former Marseille midfielder Mathieu Flamini.

6) Arsenal fans may remember Sparagna playing against their youngsters when they face the French outfit in the NextGen Series. The defender came off the bench in the Gunners’ 3-0 victory back in August 2012.