Arsenal have £6.1m bid for Lorient star Alexis Claude-Maurice rejected, say reports in France
The France Under-20s forward was spotted in London with Guendouzi on Friday as the Gunners look to secure a deal
ARSENAL have had a £6.1million bid for Lorient star Alexis Claude-Maurice rejected, according to reports in France.
The France Under-20s forward was spotted in London with his former team-mate Matteo Guendouzi on Friday as the Gunners look to secure a deal.
Ligue 2 side Lorient are thought to be holding out for closer to £9m for their prized asset.
But Mohamed Toubache-TER - who first revealed Guendouzi was heading to the Emirates - has claimed Arsenal's opening bid for Claude-Maurice has been turned down.
Monaco and Lille are also hovering, poised to swoop for the forward - meaning the Gunners will have to bump up their bid quickly or face missing out on the talented youngster.
The report in France claims Claude-Maurice, 20, would favour a move to the Emirates though - with Guendouzi a major factor.
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The pair played together at Lorient before the tireless now-Gunners midfielder moved to England last summer.
And Arsenal fans went wild on Friday after Claude-Maurice was spotted with Guendouzi in the capital.
One Gooner tweeted: "Alexis Claude Maurice > Alexis Sanchez."
Another wrote "get innnnn";, while one supporter bemoaned the fact he is "not a striker."
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A more detailed post read: "Think he could be decent... 14 goals and 4 assists in 35 odd games at 20 is a very decent return, and plays on either wing and can play 10."
It seems ever-more likely Unai Emery - a big fan of recruiting young players with bags of potential - will make his move.
Guendouzi has become an instant fan-favourite around the Emirates and should Claude-Maurice continue his progression, there's no reason why he couldn't be a hit too.