Arsenal in race for £17m Essien

Arsenal are involved in a four-way battle for one of the hottest properties in French football.

Mickael Essien, a 22-year-old Ghanaian midfielder, has been attracting interest from across Europe with his impressive form for French League leaders Lyon.

He has caught the eye of Gilles Grimandi, the former Arsenal defender who is now the club's scout in France, and is being monitored carefully.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger would prefer to wait until the summer to make any move for the player, who is valued at around £ 17million by Lyon.

But his hand may be forced on two counts. If Brazilian Gilberto Silva is ruled out for the season with a back injury and compatriot Edu refuses to sign a new contract, Wenger may need midfield reinforcements. With Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid also watching Essien closely, Wenger may have to make his move now.

Lyon would like to keep Essien, at least until the end of the season, because they are still in the Champions League. But they have shown in the past that they find generous offers hard to refuse - as was the case with Steve Marlet and Steed Malbranque who both joined Fulham.

Traditionally, Arsenal are not big spenders. Their record signing is Spaniard Jose Antonio Reyes, signed a year ago for what will amount to £16m from Sevilla. But none of their three competitors for Essien would baulk at the asking price.

Lyon signed Essien two years ago in a £6m deal from Corsican club Bastia after fighting off interest from Paris St Germain.