Arsenal's interest in securing a deal for Houssem Aouar is known after they were unsuccessful in bringing him to North London last summer.
After being priced out of a move for the Lyon midfielder, the Gunners then pivoted to complete the signing of Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid.
Other clubs are believed to be interested in the France international, with Liverpool among those linked, as Gini Wijnaldum looks set to leave Anfield on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Ligue 1 clubs are set to enter a period of uncertainty after entering a financial crisis with the division's TV rights deal falling to pieces.
An emergency auction was held in February with the bids deemed too low to accept, amid fears that clubs will be hit financially in the near future.
Aouar has a contract with Lyon until 2023, and so will retain some of his value in the summer, but remains the club's most-prized asset and an easy source of income if they wish to sell him on.
Lyon chiefs were believed to want £55milliion for the central midfielder last summer but according to ESPN they have now reduced that figure to between £36million-41million.
And Arsenal could finance a deal by moving on a number of players this summer. Football Insider report that one player who could leave is forgotten man Matteo Guendouzi, who has spent this season on loan at Hertha Berlin.
The report states that the 21-year-old is not expected to play for the Gunners again with Mikel Arteta making it clear that he is not part of the plans for next season.
Arsenal are said to be searching for £25million for the midfielder - cutting £5m off their asking price from last summer - and the Gunners are apparently confident they will be able to find a buyer at that price.
That would go a long way to securing the necessary funds to bring Aouar to North London.
