Djourou wants Lille's Gervinho at Arsenal

Arsenal defender Johan Djourou has urged manager Arsene Wenger to sign up Lille star Gervinho, on the same day that arch-rivals Tottenham had a bid rejected for the Ivory Coast international.

GettyImagesGervinho: Won French league and cup double

Gervinho, who can play on the wing or as a striker, played a key role as Lille won both the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France last season and Les Dogues face a fight to hold on to the highly-rated 25-year-old.

Lille general manager Frederic Paquet claims he has already "received an offer of ?12 million (?10.6m) from Tottenham which was refused" and Djourou believes Gervinho would be an ideal signing to help Arsenal challenge for silverware.

"I have followed a bit of the French league this season and I have to say Gervinho is a great player," Djourou told Goal.com. "I have known him for a long time and he is just a great player - quick, with so much talent and good skills.

"He is a great, great talent and we need that because he can play as a striker, as a No.10 or on the wing. He has all the ingredients to play for Arsenal, that is a definite."

Lille will be desperate to keep Gervinho ahead of next season's Champions League campaign having already sold Yohan Cabaye to Newcastle.

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Essien tells Chelsea he wants to stay

Michael Essien has handed manager-less Chelsea a boost by declaring his intention to stay at Stamford Bridge next season.

GettyImagesMichael Essien: Linked with Inter Milan

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Chelsea are currently without a leader after Carlo Ancelotti's departure from the club, although Guus Hiddink is strongly expected to return by the start of the new campaign.

With uncertainty surrounding the Blues' immediate future though, Essien's name has been linked with a move away from England, with Serie A the mooted destination.

Reports in Italy and Essien's native Ghana have suggested Essien could be heading for talks with Italian giants Inter Milan, who have identified the central midfield area as the major position in need of improvement after finishing six points behind AC Milan last season.

"I am looking forward to next season, I want to win back the title and bring the Champions League to Chelsea," Essien is quoted as saying by Skysports.com.

"So I am not aware of not playing for Chelsea next season."

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