Spurs star Kaboul interested in controversial north London switch

Arsenal are being linked with a sensational swoop for Spurs centre back Younes Kaboul in a summer switch on a free transfer, that will be likened to Sol Campbell’s controversial switch across north London in 2001.

Kaboul, 28, is out of contract at the end of this season, and tabloid reports suggest that he is interested in joining Tottenham’s bitter rivals, with close friend Abou Diaby being a player at Arsenal.

Spurs, who are currently sixth in the Premier League, are hanging on to their slim hopes of finishing in the Champions League places at the end of the campaign, and have odds of 33/1 to end up in the top four.

Moving to the Gunners (150/1 Premier league outside chances) from White Hart Lane will be sure to evoke memories of former England star Campbell’s highly publicised transfer from the white to red side of north London. However, if Kaboul moves, it is unlikely to cause the same uproar.

Although the Frenchman has been a solid player for the club in his two spells (2007/2008 and 2010-present where he signed for £9.5m), injuries have certainly taken their toll on the former Portsmouth man. He has managed to feature in just nine league matches this and last season so far.

Tottenham may have a readymade replacement, however, lined up in former youth product Steven Caulker. The 22-year-old was sold to Cardiff City last summer for £9m but, like Kaboul, could be set to rejoin after one season away.

Arsene Wenger currently has the likes of centre backs Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen on his books but, with the latter likely to leave at the end of the campaign, a defender is high on the 64-year-old’s list.

France international Kaboul – five caps – is now currently back in the Spurs lineup, having started the last four in the league. His side have lost three of those, though – conceding 11 – but he will be hoping to see out the rest of the season without injury, and try to edge himself back into the France setup for the World Cup.

Les Blues (22/1 tournament chances) are odds-on favourites to top Group E at 8/11 or qualify at 1/5. They face Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras in what is seen as one of the more straightforward groups of the competition.