Arsenal face missing out on the signing of Eduardo Camavinga from Rennes this summer after not learning from Chelsea's clever transfer track that prized Romelu Lukaku to Stamford Bridge.
The Gunners hierarchy must take a leaf out of Roman Abramovich's book after the Blues resigned self-confessed Chelsea fan, Lukaku, from Inter Milan for £97.5million, pulling on the heart strings to fend off any other suitors.
Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have entered the race for the Camavinga's signature, according to reports, despite the 18-year-old wonderkid being a Gunners fan, which could prove to be an instrumental factor in the midfielder's decision should Edu enter the pursuit.
Camavinga, who was pictured playing on his Playstation with an Arsenal poster on his bedroom, has been given the green light to leave by Rennes this summer as they look to salvage a windfall of cash from his labours.
His contract expires next summer meaning Arsenal could either submit a shrewd fee before the window ends or risk being blown out the park competing by the host of European royalty waiting until January to begin pre-contractual agreements.
Camavinga, who has been described having 'everything' as a player by Paul Pogba, made 35 Ligue 1 appearances last season for Rennes operating as a six, an eight and a ten directly contributing towards three goals.
The Gunners should look to optimise into the midfielder's sentiment for Arsenal, much like Chelsea did with Belgium's all-time top goal scorer.
Although, despite having already signed the highly-rated Sambi Lokonga this summer in addition to extending Granit Xhaka's stay at the Emirates, it would be difficult to turn Camavinga away from London Colney should the opportunity arise.
His eye-opening performances for Rennes earned the attention of Didier Deschamps who fast-tracked him into the senior squad before making his debut versus Croatia in the UEFA Nations League.
Camavinga's meteoric rise to international pedigree can be likened to that off a handful of former Gunners in the shape of Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Cesc Fabregas.
The midfielder became France's youngest international in 96 years and the third youngest ever in the country's history after a cameo appearance off the bench last September.
A month later Camavinga then followed up his debut with a goal in a 7-1 win over Ukraine with Manchester United's Pogba hailing him has the complete player.
Speaking after the tie about the youngster, Pogba said: “It is a pleasure to see him don the shirt. To score after his first starts, that is honestly wonderful. I was truly happy for him. I only wish him the best and much more.
“He has everything for that. His future is in his hands. He is very at ease, he is a little dancer. He makes me think a bit about me. He is not a timid person.
"It is good because he is confident. He has confidence in his qualities. He is a very good youngster, I like him enormously.”
