Juventus confirm Flamini pursuit

Juventus will have struck fear into the heart of Arsene Wenger and Arsenal fans by formally confirming their interest in Mathieu Flamini.

Speculation has surrounded the France international for some time given that his current contract expires in the summer, with Italian giants Juventus and Milan strongly linked with a player who has been in such impressive form this season.

Reports in Italy claim a five-year deal, worth in the region of £3 million per season, will be offered to Flamini, and Juve director Jean-Claude Blanc has confirmed that the Frenchman is a target for the Turin club.

“This is an important player who we have been chasing for some time,” said Blanc in Corriere dello Sport.

“And it will have to be good to take him because many teams are interested.

“In order to convince champions you need to take into account their ambitions. To get champions you have to think big.”

Juventus are all-but qualified for the Champions League next season and that could hand them a distinct advantage over Milan in the battle for Flamini, as the Rossoneri are four points shy of fourth-placed Fiorentina with four games remaining in Serie A.