Arsenal have reportedly suffered a blow in their alleged pursuit of Nice midfielder, Jean-Michaël Seri, as the 26-year-old is said to be edging closer to a move to Barcelona.

Despite being linked with Arsenal for most of the summer, Seri is reportedly set to sign for Barcelona very soon.

According to L’Equipe, the Catalan giants initially made an approach for the Ivorian in November. However, ever since, Barca have been focused on signing PSG star, Marco Verratti, who has now proven to be unattainable.

Therefore, the La Liga club have supposedly turned their attention back to France and made Seri their priority.

The midfielder will allegedly set Barca back £36m, as that’s the price of his release clause, but given the fact that they’ve just sold Neymar to PSG for a reported £198m, the Spanish side are presumably hardly strapped for cash right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_EmpwtfLSs

Seri signed for Nice from Paços de Ferreira two years ago and last season made 39 appearances for the Ligue 1 side, scoring seven goals and assisting nine.

Arsenal fans tipped Seri to be a potential replacement for Santi Cazorla, given that the little midfield maestro’s playing days seem to be numbered due to injury.

Whether Barcelona will actually sign Seri remains to be seen. He has just two years left on his deal with Nice – are they in a position to turn down £36m?

The report in L’Equipe mentions Arsenal being another possible destination for the 26-year-old but not much else.

Tottenham have also been linked with the highly-rated midfielder.