Arsenal are considering a move for Nice star Jean Michael Seri as the deal for Monaco winger Thomas Lemar stalls, according to reports. The Ligue 1 side are hoping to qualify for the Champions League and this would determine if they would the player leave.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is struggling to get buyers for several players this summer to free up space and funds and Monaco are not open to allowing the deal for Lemar. The club feels making a move for Michael Seri is the right one but they have to battle Spurs who are also interested.

Seri has been likened to Chelsea man N’Golo Kante but his switch to north London depends on it Nice make it to the elite club competition on the continent. The team would rematch against Ajax after the 1-1 scoreline in the first leg. Mario Balotelli scored as they hosted the Dutch side. Their fate hangs in the balance as they play in Amsterdam on Wednesday.

Nice were in the top three sides in the Ligue 1 last term so they qualified for the Champions League playoffs. Seri has played a crucial role in the team since joining from Portugal in 2015. The former Pacos de Ferreira man was scouted regularly last season. Seri could agree to the move if Nice fail to make the Champions League.
If Arsenal decide to sign Seri, they would have to quickly sell of one of the stars at the Emirates. Fenerbahce want a loan deal for Lucas Perez but Wenger is having none of it, according to the player’s agent Rodrigo Fernandez Lovelle.

The Frenchman wants to sell the player for around £13-15 million as he joined last summer and still has three years on his deal. Several sides want the player but on a loan deal, with or without a further option.