The Gunners are looking to fend off competition from
Tottenham to capture the Southampton midfielder this summer and have
outlined a lucrative salary package through intermediaries
Arsenal have redoubled their efforts to sign Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton in a bid to beat off fierce competition for the midfielder's signature from London rivals Tottenham.
The France international is now regarded as this summer's top priority at the both clubs, with the lure of playing under former Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino at Spurs proving a strong temptation for the 24-year-old.
However, Arsenal have outlined a salary package through intermediaries which, combined with the possibility of Champions League football and greater trophy winning potential, could play a decisive role in the transfer.
Arsene Wenger has stepped up his interest after the Gunners opened preliminary talks with the Saints over a move for Schneiderlin.
The Saints are playing hardball over any deal for the Frenchman following the departures of Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert this summer, as well as Pochettino. They rate the midfielder at €23m, although the north London rivals value the 24-year-old at the €19m.
Arsenal are now putting all their efforts on a deal for Schneiderlin, although they continue to maintain an interest in Bayer Leverkusen's Lars Bender. The club are no longer after Real Madrid's Sami Khedira due to his bulky demands of a €253,000-a-week basic salary.
Meanwhile, Spurs are exploring the possibility of selling a central midfielder in the squad to free up space for Schneiderlin and the Frenchman clearly rates the club and Pochettino in highly, "With the quality Tottenham have, Mauricio Pochettino will get the best out of each player.
"He improved me very much. He improved the whole squad and improved me as a player. He's a great coach and good man."
However, encouragingly for Arsenal, the player has also spoken of his desire to play at the biggest stages of the round leather game, saying: "Everyone has ambitions, everyone has his own future in his hands, so we'll see. Every player wants to play on big occasions."
Schneiderlin has been closely monitored by the Gunners over the last two seasons since Southampton were promoted to the Premier League.
He has been a key performer for the Saints following a move from Strasbourg in 2008 and was included into the France squad for the World Cup as a late replacement for the injured Clement Grenier.
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