Lille have refused an offer from Arsenal for Ivory Coast forward Gervinho, demanding the Gunners increase their bid.

Gervinho is keen to move to the Premier League and initial discussions have been positive, but Arsenal will have to improve their bid should they wish to convince Lille to sell.

Sources in France suggest that the French champions were unhappy with the amount put on the table by Arsene Wenger’s side and dismissed the bid out of hand, telling Arsenal in no uncertain terms that they rate their 24-year-old star in a higher price bracket.

However, talks between the two clubs are continuing, with each side keen to find common ground.

A number of other clubs, including Newcastle United, are known to be monitoring the situation and could yet enter the fray with a higher offer.

Gervinho turned out 35 times in Lille’s Ligue 1-winning campaign last season, finding the back of the net on 15 occasions.

The Ivory Coast star though believes it is time to move on to a bigger league, with the Premier League his priority.

ARSENE WENGER plans to hold key contract talks with Samir Nasri as he battles to keep hold of two of his best midfield stars.


Wenger is desperate for Nasri to commit his future to the Gunners after contract talks stalled over his pay demands.

And with Cesc Fabregas also the centre of more interest from Barcelona, Wenger fears losing two of his most influential players over the course of the summer.

Stunned Nasri has one year left on his current deal with Arsenal but has so far stunned the club with his huge wage demands.

Starsport revealed earlier this month Nasri wants a new deal worth £6m a year – which is more than skipper and star player Fabregas is on.

The Gunners have refused to meet the demands and Nasri has been linked with a shock summer move to Manchester United.

They plan to stand firm over a new contract, with Wenger hoping a compromise can be reached.
 
Yet it is a dangerous game to play, with the club already facing a fight to keep hold of Fabregas.

Starsport told you yesterday how Barcelona had seen a £30m bid for the Spaniard rejected but the feeling is the midfielder wants to return to his boyhood club.

Losing one key central midfielders would be a setback, but losing two in the summer would be a major blow to Wenger and his squad.

Supporters are starting to grow restless after six years without a trophy and have questioned the policy of not investing heavily on new signings in the past.

The general belief is that the squad are short of three or four top-class players who will help the club maintain a sustained challenge for honours.

But they would be weaker still if Fabregas, Nasri or possibly both are sold.

Wenger is ready to bid for Aston Villa’s Stewart Downing if Nasri refused to sign a new contract. He would let the player leave rather than lose him on a free in a year’s time.

England international Downing would cost Arsenal at least £18m and has made it clear to Villa he wants to play Champions League football.

Wenger is also close to agreeing a deal to sign Argentine midfielder Ricardo Alvarez from Velez Sarsfield.