Rennes midfielder Tongo Hamed Doumbia is being tracked by Arsenal.
The Daily Mail says the 22-year-old is regarded as one of the best emerging talents in France and Gunners scouts have alerted Arsene Wenger about the possibility of a transfer.
Doumbia is 6ft 3in and can play in the centre or on the right. Rennes were willing to sell for around £8million but interest from Russian clubs CSKA and Spartak Moscow could increase the price.
Wenger is wary of paying over the odds but sees Doumbia as decent value.