Arsenal track £7m Montpellier skipper

Arsenal are looking to sign Montpellier defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, according to The Mirror.

The Bangui-born utility player has stared for a Montpellier side who lead the Ligue 1 table by two points with six games left.

Manager Arsene Wenger, who has a thorougher knowledge of French football, has often taken a fancy to players from Ligue 1.

With Arsenal's defence regularly injury stricken, and the fitness of first choice centre-back pairing Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen having wavered this season, Wenger is understood to be looking for back-up.

Yanga-Mbiwa has represented France at Under-21 level and is the current captain of Montpellier.

The 22-year-old might be concerned that in leaving Montepellier he would be giving up Champions League football, and come the summer, should Arsenal miss out on the top four, delaying his decision could pay dividends.

However, Arsenal are five points clear of fourth placed Tottenham Hotspur, and possess the pedigree in the Champions League to have a genuine run in the competition.

With much of Montepellier's squad set to be broken up, the Ligue 1 leaders could be a shadow of themselves come next season.