Arsenal are ready to beat Norwich City with a surprise move for Lorient forward Alexis Claude-Maurice.

Gunners scouts have been keeping tabs on the young forward, making regular checks on a player who has shone in the second tier of French football this term.

Claude-Maurice, 20, is rated as one of the best youngsters in his homeland, and is a France Under-20 international.

He has largely played out wide for his club side, but some judges believe that, long term, his position will be through the middle.

Norwich transfer chiefs have been also monitoring his progress and, after securing promotion to the Premier League, were ready to sanction a £9million move.

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Sporting director Stuart Webber and coach Daniel Farke had earmarked him as a player who could make an impact on the Canaries' top flight return.

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But they now face being beaten to the punch by the Gunners, who are operating on a tight budget this summer and know they must be smart in the market.

However, the pair also face competition from Ligue 1, with Lille eyeing him as a replacement for Nicolas Pepe - the forward who has been watched by Arsenal , Manchester United , Liverpool and Bayern Munich - and Monaco also.

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Claude-Maurice fits in Arsenal's budget and also would offer them backup to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.

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The Gunners are light in attack, with Danny Welbeck set to leave the club when his contract expires this summer.

The North London club have also been linked with a £10million move for Argentina defender Walter Kannemann.