Arsenal 'given green light to pursue Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy'

Arsenal target Ferland Mendy has been told he can leave Real Madrid this summer, according to reports.

The France international joined Los Blancos from Lyon in a £42 million deal, but has missed much of the current campaign through injury.

During his time in the Spanish capital the left-back has won La Liga twice, and was part of Carlo Ancelotti's side that won the Champions League last season, playing the full 90 minutes as the club triumphed over Liverpool.

According to a report from the Mirror, Mendy is now viewed as surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu, and will be allowed to leave this summer for a cut-price fee of £17.5million.

The Frenchman has another two years remaining on his current deal, but he has fallen down the pecking order at Madrid with youth product Nacho preferred on the left flank.

Tottenham are also said to be interested in signing the 27-year-old, but Mendy would prefer to play Champions League football making a move to the Gunners' North London rivals less likely.

Mikel Arteta is believed to be in the market for another left-back, with Kieran Tierney's long-term future at the Emirates still unclear.

The arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Man City this summer relegated Tierney to the role of understudy, and the former Celtic star has been limited to just five Premier League starts as the Gunners have embarked on their most ambitious title challenge for a number of years.

After falling down the pecking order the Scotsman has been repeatedly linked to a move away from the Emirates this summer, with Eddie Howe reportedly confident of bringing the 25-year-old to Tyneside.

Manchester City have also expressed an interest in Tierney, with Pep Guardiola said to be keen on bolstering his depth in defence.