Gael Clichy has stated that he thinks Manchester City have acquired one of the world’s best right-backs by signing former Arsenal teammate Bacary Sagna on a free transfer, as reported by the Mirror.

Sagna’s contract with the Emirates club expired at the end of last season, and he trod the same path Clichy did several years ago to join the Manchester side.

Both players played together for Arsenal, and they both represent the French national side, with both having been involved in the squad for the World Cup.

Clichy thinks the addition of Sagna is a real boon for the club, with the right-back being, in his opinion, a genuine talent and possessing some high quality experience. City will be looking to improve as they try to defend their newly won Premier League crown.

He said: “From my point of view, it’s great.

“He’s a very good friend of mine. I played with him for Arsenal and the national team.

“As a player, I think he was a great signing. Of course he was free, so that’s a big thing. To sign a player like him on the free is something amazing.

“I think we have probably one of the best right backs in the last five years since he joined Arsenal. He’s strong, he’s a great defender. He’s good going forward.

“That’s the kind of player you look for as a club, and he’s old enough to bring some experience.

“I don’t want to say too much because he’s a good friend, but it’s a great signing and I’m sure the fans are waiting for him to put the shirt on.”

Sagna played 213 games for Arsenal before leaving the club, and won the FA Cup with the north London side last season as they beat Hull City in the final.

Arsenal target Sami Khedira has demanded a huge €9 million a year pay deal in order to join the north London club, as reported by Spanish television outlet La Sexta.

The Gunners have previously seemed likely to capture Khedira, with Real Madrid willing to sell him this summer. Spanish giants Real have acquired Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez thus far this window, giving them two midfield recruits that threaten Khedira’s place in the line-up significantly.

Khedira also suffered a significant injury last season, missing the run-in that saw Real capture La Decima, their tenth European Cup. There are real questions over whether there is a place for him in Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

The German international is willing to move to the Emirates Stadium, but expects a significant wage in order to do so. If Arsene Wenger’s side refuse to meet his demands, he intends instead to wait out the rest of his Madrid contract and leave them on a free transfer next summer.

Arsenal have been active thus far in the transfer market this summer, but the addition of Khedira would represent a significant improvement to their starting eleven. They are also expected to add Southampton’s Calum Chambers in the near future, after the youngster completed a medical.

Twitter has been ablaze with suggestions that a photograph has been taken of purported new Leeds United signing Andre Blackman at the club’s kit launch event at Elland Road.

Blackman is a left back who has spent the last six months with Maidenhead United in non-league. The 23-year-old was previously at Dover Athletic, who he joined from Plymouth Argyle.

Leeds have been consistently linked with Blackman, with journalists suggesting that he will sign for the club once a transfer embargo is lifted, something that is expected to take place on Tuesday this week.

@PhilHayYEP: @natthabrat85 I’m expecting Andre Blackman (left-back) to sign. Very little certainty about any other targets.

Questions have been asked about the sensibility of signing Blackman, assuming the photograph is of him, given the fact that he has done little to impress so far in his career. He failed to make a single appearance at Maidenhead, and was only deemed worthy of non-contract terms at Dover. Leeds United would undoubtedly be a huge step up for a player who spent time as a youth with Arsenal and Spurs.

Leeds also have Charlie Taylor available to them, who impressed considerably while on loan with Fleetwood last season. He won promotion from League Two with them, including a good performance in the play off final at Wembley.

When asked about the future of Stephen Warnock, new coach Dave Hockaday commented that he will be part of the group travelling to Italy for pre-season. Blackman would be in direct competition with the ex-England international for a place in Leeds’s side.