Arsenal open talks with French striker, not Mbappe

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reportedly travelled to France to negotiate a transfer agreement for long-term target Alexandre Lacazette.

The 67-year-old is desperate to reinforce the forward ranks in the summer and has already had a £87m bid rejected for AS Monaco teenager Kylian Mbappe.

As a result, the club have turned their focus to previous target Lacazette, who was seemingly on his way to Atletico Madrid before the transfer ban was upheld.

According to BeIN Sports, Wenger was spotted alongside CEO Ivan Gazidis in the south of France as he looks to complete his transfer business well ahead of the transfer window.

Lacazette is likely to cost in upwards of £60m, but there is a sense that the club would be willing to pay a hefty package following the backing from owner Stan Kroenke.

Meanwhile, there are also suggestions that Wenger could be working on a world-record deal for Mbappe as he is situated just 13 miles away from the home of the Principality outfit.

Arsenal missed out on Champions League qualification for the first time in nearly two decades, but this has not stalled their quest to attract top-class talents to the Emirates ahead of the new season.