Arsenal are ready to make a move for £9m-rated Lorient attacker Alexis Claude-Maurice, though they have some competition for his signature.

The Mirror claim Arsenal have made ‘regular checks’ on Claude-Maurice this season, who scored 14 goals and provided three assists as his side just narrowly missed out on the promotion playoffs.

Due to his versatility, there has been some confusion on social media about exactly where Claude-Maurice plays. Though he can play up front and has done on at least one occasion this season, he’s more commonly found on the left-wing or in midfield.

There’s plenty of competition for Arsenal in the race for the player’s signature, from recently-promoted Norwich City in England to AS Monaco and Eintracht Frankfurt from abroad. It’s unlikely any of them would be able to compete with the Gunners financially though.

Arsenal have past connections to Lorient through the transfers of Matteo Guendouzi, Laurent Koscielny and the loan of Joel Campbell to the French club. We’ll see if Claude-Maurice is the next player to make the move, as the Gunners continue their search for wide-attackers.