Arsenal have reportedly received a major boost in the race for Alexis Claude-Maurice.
According to Soccer Link in France, West Ham United target Alexis Claude-Maurice has decided that he wants to join Arsenal if he leaves Lorient this summer.
Claude-Maurice, 21, enjoyed a fine campaign with Lorient, scoring 14 goals for the Ligue 2 side whilst also adding four assists.
The speedy left winger is now being targeted by a host of clubs, with West Ham making an offer of €12million (£10million), whilst Lille, Lyon and Monaco are also thought to be keen.
However, the report states that Claude-Maurice has decided that he wants a move to Arsenal this summer, preferring the North London side over anyone else in the race for his signature.
The Gunners don’t have a huge budget to work with this summer having missed out on Champions League football, and a Ligue 2 signing may not set pulses racing.
Arsenal’s biggest offer so far is £8million, meaning West Ham have outbid them as things stand, but he’s holding out hope for a move to the Emirates Stadium.
That would be a blow for West Ham, who may have felt that the Frenchman was a smart addition to Manuel Pellegrini’s attacking options, bringing the additional pace out wide.
Yet with Arsenal yet to agree a deal with Lorient, West Ham may still have a chance to land Claude-Maurice after all, and will surely be keeping close tabs on the situation.
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