Arsenal have joined the race for Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella as Unai Emery looks to bolster his options this summer.
The Gunners sent scouts to watch Barella score his first goal for Italy against Finland on Saturday.
The 22-year-old gave Italy a flying start at the Friuli Stadium by opening the scoring in the seventh minute.
It is understood Arsenal sees the 22-year-old as a replacement for Aaron Ramsey who is set to join Juventus in summer after agreeing to a £400k a week deal.
Chelsea have reportedly held talks with Cagliari over a possible deal for Barella, but it seems they may need to fend off competition from Arsenal if they are to land the midfielder.
The Blues face a transfer ban for the upcoming summer and January windows, casting doubt over their ability to sign Barella in the immediate future.
However, Arsenal are under no such restrictions and are claimed to have sent scouts out to watch the youngster net his first ever senior international goal as Italy defeated Finland 2-0 on Saturday.
Cagliari President Tommaso Giulini told Corriere dello Sport that the bidding war was just beginning.
Giulini said: ‘Barella was never close to a January exit. I cannot deny that there was concrete interest from Napoli in January.
‘Maurizio Sarri also wanted him at Chelsea. As for Inter, that was just a chat, nothing more.’
Barella’s price-tag is reported to be in the region of £39-43million and Giulini insists it could now rise after his recent performances.
‘Maybe it’ll take more, seeing as next year it is his beloved Cagliari’s Centenary,’ he added.