Arsenal were pushing to sign Olympique Lyon striker Moussa Dembele , it has been revealed.

La Provence says Arsenal had scouted Dembele for much of last season at Celtic and were intending to bring the Frenchman back to London.

An offer was being readied for January before Lyon made their move.

The French giants were seeking a replacement for Mariano Diaz, who was at the time a step away from moving to Real Madrid, and swooped for Dembele in the final week of the summer market.

While aware of Arsenal's interest, former Fulham striker Dembele was unwilling to wait another six months to leave Parkhead and chose to accept OL's proposal.