Matuidi to stay at St Etienne

The 22-year-old has made more than 60 appearances in all competitions for the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard outfit since arriving from Troyes in 2007, and earned caps at both French U19 and U21 level, making 24 outings for the latter.

As a result, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton were all linked with moves for the midfield enforcer during the close-season.

But, instead, Matuidi signed a new three-year contract with Les Verts.

And although speculation continues to link him with a move to the Emirates Stadium to play under Arsene Wenger, the St Etienne skipper stated he is content to stay put for now.

“Today I am happy to be at St Etienne. I didn’t want to leave for the sake of it in the summer," he said.

“St Etienne remains a great club. Moreover it is a real honour to wear the armband.

“Arsenal? Of course I won’t hide it is a challenge that attracted me. Arsenal is a very big club. But today I am at St Etienne and the aim is to achieve a great season here.

“We will see what will happen in the future, we will think about Arsenal again at the right time. I will probably prolong.

“I have to meet the chairman soon to talk about the future, but I am not alone to make such a decision.”

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Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.