Barcelona are allegedly preparing to make a move for Lyon’s Nabil Fekir, following reports of an offer from Arsenal.

According to Spanish publication Sport, the Gunners have made an approach for Fekir, and that’s caused the Catalan club to spring into action. The report claims they’re willing to pay over £45m for the French international, and Real Madrid’s scouts have apparently also been following the player.

Fekir has been in fantastic form for Lyon so far this season, scoring 12 goals and providing three assists in 15 appearances. Any player giving their team one goal contribution per game is likely to be difficult to pry away from their club, so it could be difficult to convince the French side to sell.

Arsenal have a couple of advantages here. They’ve already done business with Lyon over the summer, which means they already have a relationship with the negotiators in France. Also, Lacazette could speak to Fekir to try and convince him to reunite with him in North London. Arsène Wenger is probably also a draw for a developing French international.

On every other front, Barcelona and Real Madrid have the advantage. They’re richer, they have Champions League football, they win trophies almost every season and they’re both near the top of the division again this campaign. But if Arsenal are potentially losing Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Özil over the summer, it’s worth a shot to try and bring in a replacement.