Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Yannick Bolasie and Geoffrey Kondogbia Rumours

Arsenal will look to test Crystal Palace's resolve with a summer surge on Yannick Bolasie's services, while Arsene Wenger is also reported to have requested the club make a move on Monaco's Geoffrey Kondogbia.

Bolasie has consistently featured as one of the Eagles' most exciting players in the past two seasons and has apparently drawn the attention of the Premier League's big guns, as the Mirror (h/t Metro's George Bellshaw) reports a £20 million bid may be in the works.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Palace manager Alan Pardew appears keen to squeeze every penny out of Bolasie if he is to leave Selhurst Park, however, after insisting the player won't leave for less than £40 million.

Speaking prior to his side's 2-0 defeat at the hands of Hull City this past weekend, Pardew said his attacker was worth "£40 million to £60 million," which Arsenal will, of course, be unwilling to fork out should they lunge:

Bolasie's knack for the unpredictable when it comes to taking on opponents directly is one of his most enamouring factors, bamboozling some of England's top defenders with great frequency this term.

However, broadcaster Paul Sarahs is in agreement Pardew's valuation is way off the mark, likening the case of PSV Eindhoven talisman Memphis Depay to illustrate his point:

"

Memphis Depay, £25m. Yannick Bolasie, £40-60m. Ok.

— Paul Sarahs (@PaulSarahs) April 23, 2015"

Arsenal's wing department is in good shape after acquiring the talents of Alexis Sanchez last summer, so much so that Lukas Podolski was permitted to join Inter on loan during the January transfer window.

However, Bolasie could be an upgrade on the German, as Squawka depicts just what a fearsome dribbler of the ball Palace's trickster has been since the beginning of the 2013-14 campaign:

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@Georgey22Porgey it was a joke apparently. Any player is worth what someone will pay. Bolasie = £12-15m tops.

— Paul Sarahs (@PaulSarahs) April 23, 2015"

Having moved to south London in 2012 for just £400,000, Bolasie would be making Palace a profit of 4,900 percent if he were to leave the club for £20 million, which could still be a very agreeable bit of business.

Arsene Wenger 'Requests' Geoffrey Kondogbia Transfer

"

@Georgey22Porgey it was a joke apparently. Any player is worth what someone will pay. Bolasie = £12-15m tops.

— Paul Sarahs (@PaulSarahs) April 23, 2015"

Wenger is alleged to be looking to former club Monaco for a helping hand in his recruitment pledge this summer, after it was reported the Gunners chief has "requested" the services of midfield star Kondogbia.

Spanish website Fichajes.net (h/t Metro's Will Giles) says Wenger is ready to make his move on the youngster after several years of speculation linking Kondogbia with the Emirates Stadium.

The tactician got a first-hand look at his French compatriot when Kondogbia played his part in Arsenal's Champions League exit at Monaco's hands this season, presumably impressed by what he saw.

However, Inside La Liga reports Arsenal won't be the only club vying for his name in the summer transfer market, with Valencia also alleged to be planning an offer for his signature:

Michel Euler/Associated Press

The 22-year-old emerged from the Lens academy, spending a sole season at Sevilla before moving back to his native France in 2013 after Monaco triggered his €20 million release clause.

Having seen the player rise to become an important member of their senior setup on the French Riviera, Monaco would assuredly be looking for that fee and then some if they're to be convinced into selling.

"

Valencia interested in AS Monaco's Geoffrey Kondogbia - http://t.co/JUychO4GRv pic.twitter.com/U7r8vn7WPn

— Inside La Liga (@InsideLaLiga) April 24, 2015"

A tough-tackling central midfielder has long been noted as the kind of player Arsenal need to steel up their engine room, having settled a long-standing issue at centre-back with January's addition of Gabriel Paulista.

Now sitting just behind Premier League leaders Chelsea, the Gunners could be preparing to launch a title challenge next season, and Bleacher Report's James McNicholas says Wenger's men have a "50 percent" chance:

Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

The signing of Kondogbia would not only add an injection of youth to an area that's likely to see Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini depart in the years to come but also some genuine class as Kondogbia has matured in recent years.

Wenger has looked to Ligue 1 for recruits throughout his entire north London career, and Kondogbia could be the latest in a long line of French prospects to reach new heights under his command.