Middlesbrough targeting Arsenal youngster Armand Traore

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is ready to snatch Arsenal's young French star Armand Traore from under the noses of Portsmouth.

Traore is currently on loan at Tony Adams's side, but Boro plan to make a cash offer to lure him away in the New Year window.

The French starlet is seen by Southgate as a new left-back - the position he played at the start of his career with the Gunners - rather than in midfield where he is playing for Pompey.

Traore is at the crossroads with Gael Clichy likely to be in the Arsenal side for years to come and Arsene Wenger willing to let him go to another Premier League side to gain experience.

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