Arsenal have not given up hope of signing Kylian Mbappe and manager Arsene Wenger could prove the key to his arrival at the Emirates, report football.london.
The Monaco teenager has been the source of constant speculation throughout the summer, with Europe's top clubs battling for his signature.
It had looked, however, that the striker would remain with the Ligue 1 champions and sign a new deal, seeing his wages rocket by a staggering 900 per cent.
But reports have emerged in the past 24 hours that both Madrid and City have made record breaking attempts to land the frontman.
Spanish publication Marcareported on Tuesday that a £161million deal had been agreed between Madrid and Monaco - a claim that was later denied by the French club.
And then City were also said to have made their move, with Pep Guardiola desperate to take Mbappe to the Etidad.
But so far nothing has been agreed with Monaco and the French newspaper L'Equipe report this morning that Arsenal are not yet totally out of the race to sign Mbappe, although they are clearly behind Madrid and City in the running.
L'Equipe claim that of all the managers Mbappe has met with this summer about a potential move, the rapport he has with Arsene Wenger is the best.
The paper also suggests that Arsenal do have the financial capability to rival Madrid and City for Mbappe.
But the report then states that the lack of Champions League football on offer at the Emirates next season leaves Wenger at a disadvantage when it comes to potential negotiations.
Mbappe has two years left on his current deal with Monaco.
Arsenal meanwhile are set to return with a third offer for Mbappe's Monaco teammate Thomas Lemar.
The bid will be in the region of £50m as Wenger looks to finally get his man having already had two offers knocked back for the France international winger.