Arsenal ready to rival Chelsea and Man City in race for Paul Pogba

Arsenal, 5/4 chances with Coral to finish outside the top four this term, are reportedly preparing to join the chase for France and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba’s signature, according to the tabloids.

Former Manchester United player Pogba, 21, is rated in the region of £40m by Turin giants and reigning Serie A champions Juve, but has been consistently linked with a move back to the Premier League. Apparent interest in him from Manchester City (11/4 to retain the title) and leaders Chelsea is well-documented.

What may have tempted Gunners boss Arsene Wenger into the race for compatriot Pogba is the injury situation at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta, Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere are all on the treatment table long-term, and now Aaron Ramsey, whose fitness record is poor, has joined them in being sidelined once again.

Comparisons have often been made between Pogba and fellow Frenchman and ex-Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira, who led the north London club to silverware success on multiple occasions throughout his 11 years (1996-2005) with them.

Manuel Pellegrini and the City hierarchy, which includes current Etihad reserves boss Vieira, meanwhile, are understood to see Pogba as a long-term replacement for Ivory Coast international Yaya Toure.

Chelsea could also move to strengthen their engine room options, though Blues manager Jose Mourinho has the impressive pairing of Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic earning rave reviews at Stamford Bridge.

Pogba, capped 22 times by his country to date, was crowed Golden Boy of 2013, an award given to the best young player in European football. He has been succeeded in this title by Bayer Leverkusen-owned Poland striker Arkadiusz Milik, who has risen to prominence with Dutch Eredivisie champions Ajax.

As well as winning this accolade last year, Pogba was given the Best Young Player gong at the World Cup in Brazil this past summer. These individual honours only increase his reported value, however, and Arsenal, 4/1 shots to win a major trophy this season, must prepare for a bidding war to get this player.