Arsenal are expected to make an improved bid in the region of £15million for Yohan Cabaye this week while stepping up their interest in a number of other targets.

The Gunners flew out to Istanbul this afternoon ahead of their Champions League play-off first leg clash at Fenerbahce with Arsene Wenger keen to land the Newcastle midfielder despite criticism over their opening £10m offer.

Magpies boss Alan Pardew blamed last night’s 4-0 defeat to Manchester City partly on Arsenal’s pursuit of Cabaye which prompted Newcastle to withdraw one of their leading players from the matchday squad at Etihad Stadium.

Yet Standard Sport understands Cabaye is still keen on leaving Tyneside after the club flirted with relegation last season and is thought to be open to moving to London.

Paris St-Germain are keen on signing the 27-year-old France international and have asked to be kept informed of any developments in negotiations with Arsenal.

It is believed PSG have indicated they are prepared to offer £15m, a valuation which the Gunners are prepared to match.

Newcastle insist Cabaye will not be sold for less than £20m and it is uncertain whether Arsenal are prepared to go that high. Wenger is already considering alternatives including Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, who he tried to sign when the Italian left Manchester United last summer.

Pogba has established himself in Serie A but his £20m valuation is also proving problematic. Although reports last night suggested a bid has been lodged, it is understood no formal offer has yet been made.

Arsenal also retain an interest in Lyon playmaker Yoann Gourcuff, who club president Jean-Michel Aulas claimed last week was willing to take a pay cut to move to north London. The 27-year-old is valued at around £15m but despite scouting the player on several occasions, Aulas has hinted a deal looks unlikely at present.

“I do not think Gourcuff will go to Arsenal but in football anything is possible,” Aulas said.

Meanwhile, reports in Spain today suggest that Arsenal are in talks to sign Valencia goalkeeper Vicente Guaita. It has been claimed Guaita has a £25m buy-out clause but could be available for less, having lost his place in the starting line-up to Diego Alves.

The 26-year-old was linked with Barcelona earlier this summer but they were put off by the size of the release clause. However, Guaita has entered the last two years of his contract and Valencia may be prepared to cash in now for a lower price before his value diminishes further.

Arsenal continue to hold an interest in Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Julio Cesar and Stoke’s Asmir Begovic. While Wenger recognises the need for further additions in the position, he is wary of upsetting current No1 Wojciech Szczesny in the belief the Poland international has the ability to eventually establish himself as a top class goalkeeper.

There was some good news for Arsenal as Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky, Bacary Sagna, Kieran Gibbs and Aaron Ramsey — who were all injured in Saturday’s defeat to Aston Villa — trained today.