Arsenal chase Lazio defender Stam

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is poised to sign former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam for seven million pounds (11.5 million dollars) from Italian side Lazio.

Media reports on Monday said the 30-year-old Stam, a target for Barcelona, AC Milan and Juventus, has already had talks with Wenger.

Lazio boss Roberto Mancini is reluctant to sell the lanky defender and has been holding out for a fee close to the 16.5 million pounds (27 million dollars) Lazio paid United less than two years ago.

But the Rome club's cash crisis could force them into a quick deal.

Wenger is desperate to find a partner for Sol Campbell after French defender Pascal Cygan failed to impress following last summer's 2.1 million pound (3.4 million dollar) move from Lille.

United manager Alex Ferguson sold Stam after the Dutchman published a book in 2001 containing allegations of dressing-room spats and claims the United boss had illegally tapped him when he was at PSV Eindhoven.

Stam had three successful years at United and was a key part of their Treble-winning team in 1999 when they won the English Premiership, FA Cup and Champions League.

The Dutchman's spell in Rome has been far from happy.

He served a five-month worldwide drugs ban following a positive test for nandrolone just three months after joining Lazio.