Report: Arsenal fail with first bid for promising Ligue 2 forward

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Arsenal have had a bid of £6.1 million rejected by Lorient for forward Alexis Claude-Maurice (GFFN).

The Gunners have seemingly identified the France U20 international as a potential Matteo Guendouzi-style bargain this summer.

The forward is hot property after scoring 14 goals in 2018/19.

The Sun report Arsenal may need to fork out closer to £9 million to sign Claude-Maurice, who was recently pictured with his former teammate Guendouzi which fuelled speculation that a transfer will be completed this summer.

According to GFFN, a move to the north London club is something the starlet ‘desperately wants’, suggesting Arsenal could be in a strong position.

TBR’s view

Claude-Maurice has exciting potential and his arrival at the Emirates Stadium this summer could please supporters after the start made by Guendouzi.

Claude-Maurice would potentially come in to provide backup for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who plays in the same kind of positions as the French youngster.

The pacy youngster tends to play mostly from the left, but often finds himself coming inside similar to how the Gabon international operates.

Unai Emery needs to be shrewd this summer as it seems the Gunners won’t have much cash to splash.

The Sun reported earlier this year that the Spaniard will have a base budget of just £40 million, and that further funds will have to be raised through player sales and securing Champions League football by winning the Europa League.