Arsenal are preparing to begin talks to sign Philippe Coutinho, according to reports.
The Brazilian midfielder is currently on loan at Bayern Munich from Barcelona, but the Bundesliga giants will not take up their option to sign the playmaker on a permanent basis.
This has seen the former Liverpool star linked with a return to the Premier League, with Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle and Arsenal all touted as potential destinations.
And according to French outlet Le10 Sport, the Gunners could now steal a march on their Premier League rivals.
Le10 Sport report that Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta 'dreams' of linking up with the midfielder at The Emirates and sees Coutinho as the ideal addition to his squad.
They add that Arsenal have already made plans to meet with Coutinho's agent Kia Joorabchian to discuss a potential transfer, with Arteta fully behind the move.
A stumbling block in the negotiations is likely to be a transfer fee and the player's wages, which has so far put off other potential suitors.
Regardless, some Arsenal supporters took to social media to voice their excitement at the prospect of a deal being struck for the Barca midfielder.
Despite the reports, Joorabchian has confirmed that no actual talks have taken place yet with any clubs.
"At the moment, we have not spoken to anybody about any deals whatsoever," Joorabchian told talkSPORT.
"I think at the moment everyone’s concentration is regarding this pandemic and how football can restart the season in a secure environment and over the health and safety of everybody.
"I think the transfer side of things and where he will go or where people will go will come into play down the line when things have got back to some sort of normality."
