Arsenal look set to miss out on Nabil Fekir - because they cannot sell Mesut Ozil .
The Gunners have been linked with Fekir, who was set to move to Liverpool last summer before the deal fell through.
The France World Cup winner was on his way to Anfield in a £57m deal a year ago but a hitch with his medical saw the Reds pull out of the running.
Lyon planned to sell Fekir this summer after he failed to sign a new contract, with Arsenal having made contact over a potential switch.
But now three La Liga clubs have joined the race to sign Fekir, with Real Betis, Sevilla and Valencia all in the running.
Real Betis are already in negotiations with the 25-year-old midfielder , according to Le Parisien.
And now L'Equipe is reporting that Arsenal have made their interest known - but have also made it clear they cannot afford to sign him while Ozil is still on the books at the Emirates, according to Inside Futebol
Arsenal are ready to offload £350,000-a-week midfielder Ozil and are even prepared to pay part of his wages to help push through a loan or permanent deal.
But the Gunners are understood to have received no offers so far.
Ozil is reluctant to leave London or Arsenal and has two years left on his contract and, even though he has struggled to hold down a regular place under Unai Emery, he wants to fight for his future.
The 30-year-old reported back for training last week and is also due on Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the United States knowing that he is still one of the club’s biggest names and star attractions.
So it looks unlikely Arsenal can beat their rivals in the race to sign Fekir.
