Mavuba eyes Arsenal for future

Antonio Mavuba, the young midfielder who has become the hottest property in French football, has indicated an interest in joining Arsenal.

Both Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson have reportedly been among the leading managers tracking the Bordeaux player's progress since he was named the leading player of an international youth tournament last summer.

The 20-year-old, who is similar in style to Patrick Vieira, Claude Makelele and Roy Keane, has already been capped by France coach Raymond Domenech but has stated his preference for his next move to be to join Juventus, Arsenal or Real Madrid.

He told FIFA magazine: "Juventus are the club of my dreams but I would not mind playing for Arsenal or Real Madrid either.
"I want to play abroad but not yet, I have a contract with Bordeaux until 2007, I've got time."
Mavuba, who is known by his nickname Rio, admitted he was stunned his career had taken off so quickly.
He added: "After the tournament in Toulon and Domenech's appointment as national coach I thought things could move quickly - but I never thought it would be this quick."
Mavuba is the son of Ricky 'Mafuila' Mavuba who played for Zaire in the 1974 World Cup, and was born on a boat in the Atlantic after his parents fled the civil war in Angola.
Domenech has described him as "the new Jean Tigana" saying: "He can steal the ball from his rivals, he is very fast and he is moving all the time. He is the player of the future."