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Premier League club Arsenal appear to be inexhaustibly linked to young French players and, somewhat inevitably, Lille’s flourishing midfielder, Yohan Cabaye, is reportedly the target of Arsene Wenger’s microscope.

Radio station RMC suggests that the Gunners are tracking the tenacious 23-year-old, who has already made over 100 Ligue 1 appearances despite his relatively tender age.

Cabaye is considered a key player at Lille, where he balances the attacking instincts of Michel Bastos, Ludovik Obraniak and Florent Balmont, acting as something of a support to Rio Mavuba in the centre of les Dogues’ midfield. Despite his defensive attributes, Cabaye’s game has found some edge in recent times, as he scored seven times in Ligue 1 last season in addition to three strikes this term.

Arsenal could face stiff competition from within France for the former under-21 international, who is under contract until 2013 and will, therefore, command a significant transfer fee. Olympique Lyonnais, Girondins de Bordeaux and Olympique de Marseille are all reportedly tracking the player.

Lille have earned a reputation as something of a feeder club in recent times, as they have lost many of their brightest young talents to ‘bigger’ sides. In spite of this, they are currently seventh in Le Championnat and harbour very real European aspirations.