Arsenal have moved ahead of Newcastle United in the race to sign Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen, with Manchester United also interested in the French winger.
Diaby has spent four years with the Bundesliga side, making 172 appearances since joining from Paris Saint-Germain.
But the 23-year-old's future in Germany has been questioned, with Newcastle making Diaby a priority target for acquisition over the last year and a half.
However, L'Equipe report that Arsenal have recently moved themselves into pole position to sign Diaby, ahead of the Magpies.
Newcastle has never been a priority for Diaby, which has allowed the Gunners to move ahead of them in the race for the Frenchman's signature.