Arsenal join Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City in the race for Monaco’s star midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko

ARSENAL have joined the race to sign highly-rated Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko.

The Frenchman, 22, has been a key cog in the Ligue 1 side’s charge to the top of the table.

Reuters

And now Arsene Wenger is set to go head-to-head with Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City in the race to land Bakayoko.

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And the Gunners – as well as their rivals – have recently been handed a massive boost in their bid to sign the £40million-rated defensive midfielder.

The young French star – capped 13 times by France’s Under-21s – recently rejected a new contract at the Stade Louis II.

EPA

Bakayoko's contract currently expires in 2019, but the refusal to sign new terms will be a major boost for Wenger, who is itching to add more steel to his midfield as he battles to keep hold of his job.

The French boss may be on the verge of losing Jack Wilshere - who is in the final year of his contract and weighing up a permanent move to loan side Bournemouth.

On top of that, Santi Cazorla has suffered yet another injury, while Aaron Ramsey is struggling for form.

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With Mesut Ozil expected to join Alexis Sanchez in walking away from the club, Wenger knows he will need to line up his targets now or risk missing out.

However he faces stern competition from big-boys Antonio Conte, Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho.

All three are looking to bring in a strong, defensive-minded midfielder, with Bakayoko the name on everyone's lips.