Arsenal join Newcastle in hunt for 7m-rated Montpellier skipper Yanga-Mbiwa

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UPDATED:

06:46 GMT, 20 April 2012

Arsene Wenger is keeping tabs on versatile French defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa – the captain of Ligue 1 table-toppers Montpellier.

The 22-year-old France Under-21 international is a capable of playing anywhere across the back line or as a defensive midfielder, and Arsenal boss Wenger is looking to bolster his defensive options, according to the Daily Mirror.

Versatile: Montpellier skipper Yanga-Mbiwa (left)

Yanga-Mbiwa, who has been a regular at Montpellier since the age of 18, has made it clear in the past that he would favour a move to the Premier League, with Newcastle having been watching him for some time.

He said back in December: 'People live for football in England, and that is what I want to experience.

'I’ll see what offers I get, but English football is incredible. There is more physical contact than in France, but I like that – it suits my style of play.'

Magpies boss Alan Pardew is looking to add to his French contingent with a 7million summer bid, but Wenger is keen to rival him.