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Lyon chief Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed that the club are ready to sell defender Aly Cissokho.
Both Arsenal and Newcastle have been strongly linked with the French international.
Cissokho has started every game for Lyon this season but they need cover in central defence and are seemingly willing to cash in.
The 24-year-old has also never hidden his desire to ply his trade in the Premier League.
"Possible winter departures? That doesn't mean we don't have any more means, but we want to keep the rules we set, which is to not increase deficit," Aulas told L'Equipe.
"The transfer of Aly Cissokho? I am rather in favour of it.
"We could hire a centre defender, young, not expansive and versatile, but none of our current centre defenders will be free agents next June, and maybe in February they will all be back.
"We could hire a defensive midfielder as Maxime Gonalons is deputising as centre defender. We could also not do anything."
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Oman international Saad Al-Mukhaini is currently on a two-day trial stint at Arsenal.
The 24-year-old, who plies his trade with Omani club Fanja SC, was recommended to Arsene Wenger by current Oman national coach and fellow Frenchman Paul Le Guen.
The left-back is aware of the challenge ahead and is determined to prove he has what it takes to play in the Premiership.
"Most of my friends and team-mates in the club and national team came to know about it only when it was reported in the media," he said on Sport360.
"Some of them dismissed it as a rumour. I do not want to lie, but I know I have got a huge opportunity here and I have to trust myself.
"Coach Le Guen has faith in me and he got me this chance, so I have to give my best. It is difficult but not impossible."
Le Guen
Le Guen, a personal friend of Wenger, rates Al-Mukhaini highly and believes the player has a chance at making it in The Premiership.
"I think Saad is one of the best players in the country and he can play in a big league," he was quoted as saying in The Muscat Daily.
"I had a chat with Wenger some time back and he seemed interested in calling him. I cannot say how much Saad is ready mentally for making it in a big league, but I know football enough and I believe he can.
"He has to adapt and compete with great players."