Arsenal are moving to beat Norwich City for Lorient forward Alexis Claude-Maurice.

The Mirror says 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.