Arsenal well placed for Zokora deal

St Etienne midfielder Didier Zokora could join Arsenal next summer, his agent has confirmed.

The 25-year-old Ivory Coast international has obtained permission to leave St Etienne at the end of the season, provided the price is right.

And his destination may be north London with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger yet to find a suitable replacement for former captain Patrick Vieira, who joined Juventus in the summer.

“Arsenal are our most important contact,” said Franck Belhassen, Zokora’s agent.

“They have shown more interest for Didier than the other clubs.

“We have an agreement with the St Etienne bosses that they will let Didier go next summer if the transfer is sealed for around £10m (€14.6m).”

Zokora, who joined Les Verts from Genk in 2004, has played 53 Ligue 1 matches for his club.