Arsenal have reportedly dropped their interest in signing St Etienne defender Loic Perrin during the January transfer window, as reported by French outlet L’Equipe.

Perrin recently confirmed to the press that he had been contacted by the north London side ahead of a possible switch in the winter window, and it seemed as though the transfer was quite far down the line.

The veteran defender is regarded as a versatile option, able to play across the entire back line, something that was thought to appeal heavily to Arsene Wenger.

The French manager has seen his defence suffer injury after injury this season, and they have suffered poor results due to a lack of options at the back.

Perrin can also play in defensive midfield, a position in which Arsenal lack options.

However, inexplicably, despite expressing significant interest before to Perrin’s representatives, Arsenal are now reportedly no longer interested in bringing Perrin to the club.

Arsenal are keen on signing St Ettiene defender Loic Perrin in January, which has been confirmed to the press by the player himself, as reported by the Daily Star.

Perrin is regarded as a versatile player, able to play across the entire back line and in defensive midfield, and in part, this is thought to be part of his appeal to Arsene Wenger.

Wenger has seen a series of injuries decimate both his midfield and his defence, and having a player who can play in various positions on the park would give him more options going forward, and help him if a spate of injuries happen again.

The Gunners failed to replace former captain Thomas Vermaelen after his sale to Barcelona in the summer, and have therefore had to use the likes of Nacho Monreal in the centre of defence.

Perrin has now admitted that Arsenal have contacted him over a possible move.

Perrin told Le Progres: “I was contacted personally.

“Arsenal are interested. But for now, there is still no contact with Saint-Etienne.”

The Gunners are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements after failing to replace Thomas Vermaelen who moved to Barcelona over the summer.

Arsenal are set to make a surprise move for St Ettiene defender and captain Loic Perrin when the January transfer window opens in three days.

The experienced 29 year old is thought to be valued by his club at around £6 million.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is thought to be particularly taken by the versatility provided by Perrin at the back.

While he most regularly appears in the centre of the defence for the Ligue 1 side, he is also capable at right back, and has been known to play in defensive midfield as well for St Ettiene.

With a series of injuries at the back impacting Arsenal’s ability to put out a consistent line up with players playing in their preferred position, the arrival of someone like Perrin would provide more options across the park to deal with any future injuries in the second half of the Premier League season.

As a result, the north London side could put in a £6 million bid for Perrin when the window reopens on Thursday, according to the Daily Mirror.