Player profile: Who is Arsenal target Kim Kallstrom?

The lowdown on Arsene Wenger's latest transfer target

Kim Kallstrom (GETTY IMAGES)

After appearing to have missed out on their leading target Julian Draxler – for the time being at least – Arsenal have turned to Kim Kallstrom in their hunt for midfield cover.

After a trio of spells with BK Hacken, Djurgardens and Rennes, it is his six year stay at Lyon which earned Kallstrom his reputation as one of the most combative midfielders on the continent.

During his time at the Stade de Gerland, the 31-year-old made 204 first-team appearances and cemented his place in club folklore after helping the French side to two Ligue 1 triumphs in 2007 and 2008.

Also collecting two Coupe de France winners’ medals at Lyon, he started his career with Les Gones with a fine debut against Paris Saint Germain in the French Super Cup.

Kallstrom’s youth career, however, began in Partille where he played until 1999. Later that year scouts from Hacken spotted his exploits and soon signed the Swedish youngster on a short-term deal.

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During his time with ‘the Wasps’, Kallstrom starred on 69 occasions and scored 14 goals during his two years in the second tier.

In 2001 his displays were starting to draw the attentions of many of Sweden’s elite clubs and Djurgardens proved to be the leaders of the pack. Kallstrom soon signed a two-year contract with the club but found his opportunities more limited - despite netting 26 goals in 48 matches.

He won the Allsvenskan twice during his stay with the Swedish club.

The under-21 international hotshot, now on the fringes of the senior side, was then given the opportunity to play in Ligue 1.

Rennes made their interest known and Kallstrom went on to sign a two-year contract with the club.

Put into the starting eleven straight away, Kallstrom returned his manager’s faith with the best football of his career to date. Firing in 20 efforts during his 83 run-outs for the French side, he was quickly making a name for himself.

The possibility of playing Champions League football soon became a very viable option in 2006 as Lyon, then one of the biggest clubs in France, planned a sizable package to lure the Swede away from their French rivals.

Winning two league titles, two Coupe de Frances and a couple of Trophée Des Champions, Kallstrom arrival ignited a period of domestic domination.

While impressing a number of clubs, including Chelsea and Inter Milan, he continued to refuse a number of lucrative moves away from the club to stay with the Ligue 1 giants.

It was only in 2012, as his importance at Lyon began to wane, that he considered leaving France and soon completed a switch to Sparkak Moscow.

Now attracting the interest of Arsenal, second in the Premier League, the Swedish star has the chance to add more silverware to his illustrious CV.

Who else has Arsene Wenger targeted?