Arsenal have made an opening offer for Anderlecht midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga, football.london understands.
As first reported by Belgian outlet Het Laatste Nieuws , Anderlecht have turned down an offer of more than €15m (£12.9m), including bonuses for the highly-rated midfielder.
Lokonga impressed for his side in the top-flight last season, scoring three goals and assisting twice for his team-mates over the course of 27 league games, with his performances seemingly catching the eye of Gunners scouts.
Anderlecht are demanding just over £4million more than Arsenal sent them in their first offer for Lokongo.
The Belgian club are looking to start a bidding war between interested parties, with sides in Germany and France also thought to be keen on the midfielder.
Interestingly, Lokonga's agent is a lawyer who used to work at the same law firm as Arsenal non-executive director Tim Lewis.
Lewis is not involved in direct negotiations when it comes to transfers, but his influence may prove beneficial due to the existing relationship with Lokonga's representative.
Arsenal are on the lookout for a new central midfielder with Granit Xhaka set to leave the Emirates Stadium at some point this summer.
Xhaka has agreed personal terms with Roma and looks set to team up with Jose Mourinho, who is known to be a big admirer of the Switzerland international.
However, the Italian giants have still yet to agree with Arsenal over the former Borussia Monchengladbach captain as they look to secure the best deal possible.
The Gunners have been linked with Ruben Neves, Donny van de Beek, Rodrigo De Paul and Sander Berge, although it's understood that enquiries have only been made for Neves and Berge so far.
football.london understands that the north London club are set for a huge squad overhaul this summer, with numerous players expected to leave and arrive at the Emirates.
