Arsenal are leading the race to sign Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser with talks over a new deal having stalled, according to football.london.
Unai Emery is said to have identified the Scotland international as a cut-price potential signing have been impressed with his performances this season which have yielded 13 assists and seven goals.
The Spaniard is likely to working with a restricted budget this summer, regardless of whether or not he can secure Champions League qualification.
Three defeats in as many matches have severely dented Arsenal’s hopes of securing a top four place in the Premier League and face Valencia in the first leg of their Europa League semi final on Thursday at the Emirates.
Emery is desperate to add to his forward line in the close season with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Alex Iwobi having endured mixed campaigns and January loan signing Denis Suarez already on his way back to Barcelona having failed to make a single start following his arrival from Barcelona in January.
Fraser, 25, has just over a year remaining on his current contract but has shelved talks over an extension with Bournemouth unwilling to offer him significantly improved terms.
‘They are a huge club, a massive club,’ he said of Arsenal’s interest recently. ‘When you see your name thrown around you always think to yourself that you are a Bournemouth player and you try to do well.
‘I’m not going to lie, you do feel good, especially when it’s a massive club.’
Chelsea are also monitoring Fraser’s situation but it is Arsenal who are said to be in pole position.
Maurizio Sarri appears destined to lose Eden Hazard to Real Madrid come the end of the season but Chelsea have already recruited his likely replacement in the shape of Christian Pulisic.
