Gunners eye-up France-based pair as search for Adebayor replacement begins

Arsenal are considering moving for Toulouse striker Andre-Pierre Gignac as a replacement for Emmanuel Adebayor.

Gignac, 23, was the French league's top scorer last season and has been the subject of a £13million bid from Lyon - but Toulouse want closer to £18m.

Arsenal, armed with £25m from Adebayor's sale to Manchester City, had scouts watch Gignac on Friday night in a friendly against Bordeaux who had Marouane Chamakh in their line up.




Arsene Wenger is an admirer of Sunderland target Chamakh, Hoffenheim's Demba Ba and Newcastle's Obafemi Martins but Gignac is believed to be his preference.

Neighbours Tottenham also had scouts at the game on Friday as they continued to run the rule over Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko, 19.

Manager Harry Redknapp is keen on the France U21 international and could team him with Patrick Vieira who they hope to sign from Inter Milan this week.

Peter Crouch will make a decision on his future this week with Fulham, Sunderland and Tottenham all keen on signing the Portsmouth striker.

Only Sunderland and Fulham have matched Portsmouth’s £12million asking price. Both clubs are understood to have agreed personal terms also.

Spurs, contrary to reports, have yet to lodge a bid for Crouch and despite Redknapp going public on his desire to be reunited with the lanky striker, Real Madrid’s Klaas-Jan Huntelaar remains the Tottenham manager’s preferred option.

But should Huntelaar finally agree on a move to Stuttgart this week, the German side have a £15.5m deal in place with Real, then Spurs will switch their attention fully to the capture of Crouch.