Arsenal have suffered a setback in their pursuit of Italian star Gianluca Scamacca as Inter Milan have opened talks with the Sassuolo forward.
The Gunners are looking to add multiple attacking reinforcements in the summer following their failed pursuit of a striker in January and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's exit to Barcelona.
Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are expected to follow suit at the end of the season with their current deals set to expire.
It's a certainty that Mikel Arteta will be in the market for at least one striker, as a result, and the wheels are already in motion as the Spaniard compiles his shortlist.
Scamacca's name appears to be on it with Arsenal reportedly keeping a close eye on the 23-year-old, who is impressing in Serie A.
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Newcastle have also been linked with the attacker dubbed the 'next Zlatan Ibrahahimovic' as his style of play has been likened to the Swedish legend due to his towering 6ft5 frame.
But it's Inter who are in pole position to seal his signature as club transfer officials Giovanni Carnevali and Beppe Marotta have met over the past few weeks to discuss a move for Scamacca, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
The report states Borussia Dortmund and Red Bull Leipzig have also made approaches for Scamacca who has scored nine goals this season.
Liverpool were previously linked with Scamacca when he played for Roma as a youngster but a move did not materialise.
Tottenham monitored his situation in January after a move for Dusan Vlahovic broke down, but that's as far as it would go.
And now their city rivals have entered the frame as Arsenal look to replace Aubameyang who joined Barcelona on deadline day.
The Gunners didn't have much luck during the winter window as they failed to sign a striker and a midfielder, two areas they were keen to strengthen.
Vlahovic rejected a switch to the Emirates in favour of Juventus, while a loan deal for Arthur Melo collapsed.
Arsenal did not make any notable first-team additions but the Spaniard has defended's the north Londoner's activity in the market and reckons sporting director Edu is doing a "fantastic job."
Speaking last week, he said: "Edu and his team did a fantastic job and they continue to do that.
"We only want the best players and the best people in this club. When we are in a rush and the reasons are not right for getting a player into the club, we decide not to do it."
