Arsenal are in pole position to sign in demand Nice midfielder Jean-Michael Seri ahead of Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool.
Ivory Coast ace Seri is available for £35million this summer thanks to a release clause in the 26-year-old's contract.
And the Gunners are in a strong position to bag Seri due to his agent's strong relationship with new head of football relations Raul Sanllehi, according to L'Equipe.
Sanllehi was extremely close to luring Seri to Barcelona last summer, when he was a member of the board at the Nou Camp.
Spaniard Sanllehi left the Catalan giants after 14 years in November to move to north London.
City have been the favourites to sign Seri - after his representative held meetings with the club.
Chelsea also made contact regarding a potential move but their likely managerial uncertainty , with Antonio Conte on the cusp of departing Stamford Bridge, will put them behind in the hunt.
Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp are also monitoring any potential chance to bolster their midfields.
Seri has impressed on the French Riviera having made 37 appearances this season, netting two times including on the final game of the season against Caen.
Carybary
27
I would say we just need one player, a creative CM (and Seri is one). Sure, we rarely beat the top teams in the league but we are much better than the rest when it comes to dropping points to lower half teams. With Ramsey, we just get run over through the middle because he loves acting as a winger.