Arsene Wenger is reportedly “ready” to act on Arsenal’s interest in Lyon midfielder Maxime Gonalons, a player who “has been watched by Arsenal scouts on various occasions in the last two years,” according to Spanish publication Fichajes (translated by Jamie Sanderson of the Metro).

Sanderson suggested Gonalons is “expected to leave” in the summer. The 25-year-old has enjoyed an excellent season with Lyon, who are currently two points clear atop Ligue 1. Gonalons averages 4.1 tackles and 2.8 interceptions per match across 24 appearances in the domestic division, as recorded by WhoScored.com.

He has largely been deployed in defensive midfield this campaign—an area Arsenal desperately need to galvanise—and could represent a cheaper alternative to the likes of Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin. Sanderson indicates Gonalons will set suitors back £14.8 million.

The 25-year-old could be brought in as a potential replacement for Santi Cazorla, who continues to be linked with a switch to Atletico Madrid.

Sky Sports’ Guillem Balague recently confirmed the Spanish club are looking to secure Cazorla‘s future, telling Revista de La Liga: “Atletico are convinced that they can persuade the player to join them. Then they just have to pay the money.”

Gonalons is a different type of player—he’s a destroyer—but possesses the passing quality to fit in with Wenger‘s side. He has completed 89.3 percent of his passes this season, per WhoScored.com, executing an average of seven long balls per game. Although the Frenchman rarely offers a goal threat, he is extremely useful around the halfway line and can also play in defence.

Wenger may also be in the market for a prolific striker. Tancredi Palmeri of beIN Sports recently suggested the club are working on a deal for Palermo’s Paulo Dybala, citing Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport:

The same publication suggests Inter Milan will step into the Dybala conversation, per 101 Great Goals:

This could make things difficult for Arsenal. Inter owner Erick Thohir continues to invest in quality players, signing the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri and Marcelo Brozovic during the winter transfer window, not to mention Arsenal’s Lukas Podolski on loan.

Dybala would be costly—Metro (h/t James Whaling of the Mirror) believe he could cost £29.5 million—but a powerful owner can make such a deal happen. Fellow Serie A side Napoli have also been linked with the Argentinian, but Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini believes no Italian club can afford to pay his fee, as reported by talkSPORT:

His future? The problem is not the boy but his agents. I am sorry for this. I’ve been to London and I have received calls from all over Europe. I would be happy Napoli bought him, but I don’t think he is within their reach. Dybala is out of reach of all Italian companies.

Dybala‘s likely exit is destined to be among the summer’s most interesting transfer stories. B/R UK’s Ryan Bailey and Matteo Bonetti recently discussed a handful of other potential moves:

It’s been years since Arsenal possessed a squad which could legitimately challenge for the Premier League title, so supporters may wish to see the likes of Gonalons added without losing a key player. Wenger needs to hold onto his stars, players such as Cazorla, to give the Gunners an excellent chance of success.

He has spent lavishly over the previous two summers—signing Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez—and can be expected to splash the cash once again at the end of the season.

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