Arsenal are preparing to make a third bid for Alexis Claude-Maurice after agreeing personal terms with the highly-rated French forward.
The Gunners are short on cover in attack with Danny Welbeck set to leave the club on a free this summer and have identified the teenager as a work in progress.
Arsenal have already made an approach for Claude-Maurice, but have seen two bids rejected by FC Lorient.
According to Get French Football, the Ligue 2 side are holding out for a transfer fee closer to £18million before they are prepared to accept a bid.
The good news for Arsenal is that Claude-Maurice is keen on a switch to the Emirates, where he will link up with his former team-mate Matteo Guendouzi.
Former Gunner Jeremie Aliadiere recently spoke out about the forward.
He told football.london: "For the money that we talk about I think he'll [Claude-Maurice] make it. It's about taking a gamble now when other teams aren't prepared to.
"The market has gone so crazy in the last few years. If you want a top level international it's nothing cheaper than £40m.
"If they've only got £45m to spend you've got to shop differently, go a bit younger and sign players from second divisions. He's a good player and has really good qualities.
"At a club like Arsenal that gives chances to young players it would be a good step for him."
