Arsenal have reportedly identified Lens midfielder Seko Fofana as their top alternative to Leicester City lynchpin Youri Tielemans.
The Gunners have largely left their midfield untouched during the current transfer window, with Mikel Arteta instead prioritising attacking and defensive reinforcements.
Oleksandr Zinchenko can often be found in the heart of the engine room for Ukraine, but Arteta has affirmed that he views the former Manchester City man as a left-back first and foremost.
As a result, Arsenal could still try to make a move for Tielemans - who only has one year left to run on his Leicester contract - before the summer transfer window slams shut.
However, should the Gunners ultimately fail to prise the Belgian away from the King Power Stadium, The Mirror claims that Fofana has emerged as an ideal alternative option.
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The 27-year-old established himself as a regular for Udinese after leaving Manchester City's youth setup and has since helped Lens achieve consecutive top-half finishes in the French top flight.
Fofana hit eight goals and provided one assist in 38 Ligue 1 matches last season for Franck Haise's side, who have already lost Cheick Doucoure to Crystal Palace in the current transfer window.
Paris Saint-Germain were initially expected to win the race for Fofana, who is allegedly keen to remain in Ligue 1 if he does head for the Stade Bollaert-Delelis exit door in the coming weeks.
However, PSG need to cut down on their midfield ranks in the coming weeks having already welcomed Vitinha and Renato Sanches to the club since the arrivals of Luis Campos and Christophe Galtier.
Les Parisiens are also now understood to be closing in on the signature of Fabian Ruiz from Napoli, so a move for Fofana is seemingly off the cards for the capital outfit.
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Fofana has totalled 12 goals and seven assists in 74 appearances for Lens since arriving in 2020, and his contract with Les Sang et Or is due to expire in two years' time.
Arsenal entered the 2022-23 campaign with Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka as their undisputed first-choice midfield pairing, with Albert Sambi Lokonga and Mohamed Elneny in reserve.
Lucas Torreira was involved in Arsenal's pre-season tour of the USA after returning from his loan spell at Fiorentina, but the Uruguay international will soon complete a move to Galatasaray.
Arsenal will aim to build on their 2-0 win over Crystal Palace when they welcome Leicester City to the Emirates Stadium for Saturday afternoon's Premier League clash.
Ben Knapton
