Atletico Madrid have reportedly called on super agent Jorge Mendes to try and broker a deal to send Thomas Lemar to Arsenal .
Lemar almost joined the Gunners in 2018 before heading to La Liga in a £63million deal from Monaco.
But he has flattered to deceive, leading to them actively looking to cut their losses and sell him on in order to fund a move for a new striker.
Arsenal have been reported to have renewed interest after the appointment of Mikel Arteta as manager - and Atletico are now keen to take advantage.
Marca claim the club have called on Mendes, their "most trusted agent" to work on an exit strategy with Arsenal named as their best hope.
Lemar's name has reportedly been mentioned by club scouts as they eye winter targets having watched him closely in the past.
Mikel Arteta confirmed he is set for a meeting with club chiefs to discuss their plans now the January window is open, but it is unclear if they will fund a potentially expensive move for midfielder Lemar.
After confirmed Arteta as manager last month, Gunners head of football Raul Sanllehi said: "Globally, it's not the strategic window. By definition, that's the summer window.
"That's when you plan the season ahead. Last summer we did an incredible effort where we were very grateful for the support we got from our ownership to really go one step further and make, as I said, a real investment to increase our expectations for the season.
"The winter window is much more tactical.
"Now we're going to have conversations between Edu and Mikel to see what things we can do or what we should do.
"But again, the strategical window and the one that Edu and his team are always working for in the longer term is the summer window."
