Arsenal Transfer News: Andre-Pierre Gignac Agent Talks Up Gunners and Liverpool

Christopher Hutteau, the agent of Marseille forward Andre-Pierre Gignac, has outlined Arsenal and Liverpool as two clubs his client would have "no problem" playing for.

Hutteau spoke to French newspaper L'Equipe about the powerful Frenchman, reported via Bruce Archer of the Daily Star:

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Given the fact that he is not very old, he has a real market value. This is a striker with a relatively atypical profile, responsive to the physical challenge, the archetypal player who can succeed in a big club. He can play in England, Arsenal or Liverpool, no problem. For me, it is (his real value) between 12 and 15 million euros.

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Gignac has scored eight goals in as many Ligue 1 matches this season, per WhoScored.com. Marseille are currently two points clear of Bordeaux atop the French division and have won six consecutive matches under the ever-eccentric Marcelo Bielsa. Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain are five points behind in fourth, as Gignac and his team-mates have set the early pace.

Nick Lustig of the Daily Star linked Gignac with a move to the Premier League in May, but the 28-year-old player is yet to attempt a move away from Ligue 1. His form has been largely inconsistent over the years—defined by his lack of activity around the French national squad since 2010—but the experienced attacker looks to have found his most lethal form under Bielsa's tutelage.

Football writer Jerome Pugmire certainly believes the new boss has positively impacted Gignac's game:

Gignac has netted three braces in seven matches. He is linking effectively with Dimitri Payet and Andre Ayew, both of whom continue to provide useful service to the physically imposing striker. Although he isn't the quickest, Gignac does possess decent acceleration over short distances and is more than capable of dominating in the air with his sturdy 6'1" frame.

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He is certainly a player Arsene Wenger should have looked at during the summer. The Gunners were crying out for an effective target man before Danny Welbeck arrived and could certainly still use another out-and-out scorer to reinforce their strength in depth.

Welbeck's industry continues to be undermined by his lack of goals, but he remains undroppable due to Olivier Giroud's injury and Yaya Sanogo's lack of readiness for the top level. Gignac's versatility makes him an attractive prospect, particularly when he's scoring goals, as he can play up front or in an attacking midfield role.

Back in 2010, Wenger suggested the player's price "was too high" when Lyon tried to sign him for £20 million. Hutteau makes a point of underlining what sum is needed to sign his client this time round, with the aforementioned €12-€15 million coming in at £9.3-£11.7 million. 

Such a fee would be minimal if Gignac could carry his current form to the Premier League, a division that would likely provide him with a sterner test than the French top flight.

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Wenger rarely has the option to deploy two up front despite Arsenal's occasional need for additional threat. He is unlikely to trust two of his three aforementioned strikers in the same team unless Welbeck is pushed frustratingly wide like he was at Manchester United, meaning the Gunners rarely switch things up when needed.

Arsenal were crying out for an extra man in the box during the 1-1 draw with Spurs on Saturday, as most of the side's attacking impetus came from the running of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Gignac is someone who can provide the additional presence without Wenger needing to mobilise a traditional duo up front, as the Marseille forward can seamlessly float between the lines without losing his goalscoring edge.

Ligue 1 specialist Jonathan Johnson outlined Gignac as "central" to Marseille's form during his article for beIN Sports, saying the player is "too good to ignore" when suggesting a return to the French national team. Appearances with Les Bleus could see his value increase before the January transfer window.

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Hutteau is obviously suggesting Gignac fancies an opportunity away from Ligue 1, but it's particularly interesting to see he mentioned two teams who could use another striker. Gignac would struggle to impose himself at Chelsea or Manchester United, where the attacking numbers are stacked.

However, both Arsenal and Liverpool may be tempted by the player who appears to have hit his prime in spectacular fashion.