Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wants to buy a first-choice right-back in the summer.
Wenger has begun the process of replacing Bacary Sagna after instructing scouts to compile a detailed dossier of prospective right back targets.
The Daily Mail says Wenger has already told influential chief scout Steve Rowley to instruct the club's global network of spies to identify players to replace Sagna ahead of next season.
Interestingly, the scouting remit is for a player to go straight into the team as first choice right back.
The news will also interest Carl Jenkinson, the current second choice right back, who has been tipped as Sagna's long-term replacement.