Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is plotting a summer move for Lyon’s Corentin Tolisso as he looks to shore up his midfield options ahead of next season.
The 67-year-old Frenchman is understood to be a long-time admirer of the versatile midfielder, and he is prepared to bring him in amid the uncertainty over the future of key players at the Emirates, The Mirror reports.
Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Wilshere have yet to extend their deals beyond the end of next season while star pairing Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are in a similar contract standoff as they aim to become one of the highest-paid players in England.
According to The Mirror, Tolisso is among the top players on the Gunners shortlist alongside Malaga’s Pablo Fornals with Wenger keen to rebuild his current squad.
Tolisso was recently handed his senior debut for France under Didier Deschamps, and he is prepared to switch clubs this summer in order to bolster his chances of making the World Cup squad.
In spite of this, Les Gones are likely to play hardball in negotiations with the player’s suitors as they look to hold out for a £30m plus fee for his proposed transfer.
The youngster is also understood to have the ambition of plying his trade in next season’s Champions League, and this could hinder the Gunners prospects as they look on course to miss out on the premier competition.
Arsene Wenger’s team are currently a point behind fourth-placed Liverpool as they head into the final game of the season, and their Champions League fate will be dependent on the Reds losing points.
Tolisso has contributed 13 goals and six assists across all competitions for Lyon, who have secured a Europa League spot after having clinched fourth place in Ligue 1.
