Arsenal have reportedly made the first move in the race to sign Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard this summer.
Edouard, 23, has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs including Aston Villa having been a revelation north of the border since arriving in Glasgow from French club Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.
Villa looked at Edouard last year but decided against submitting an offer, focusing on Ollie Watkins who signed in a club-record deal from Brentford.
He was also linked ahead of January but Villa ended the month by adding one only player to Dean Smith's squad with Morgan Sanson arriving from Marseille.
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Reports emerged this week stating Edouard is back on Villa's radar ahead of the summer window, with claims the club are following his progress closely while Wesley Moraes cotinues his recovery rom injury.
But Arsenal are leading the chase for forward having already made contact with Celtic over a potential move, according to transfer insider Ian McGarry
He told the Transfer Window Podcast (via HITC): "We understand there is another striker on the market (as well as Erling Haaland) for significantly less in terms in transfer fee, but potentially someone who could be just as effective - that is Odsonne Edouard of Celtic.
"He is someone who is available for around 25 million euros (£21.5m). It is also our information that Arsenal are a club who have made a solid enquiry with regards to a transfer with the next window in the summer.
"It's also the case that Celtic who are under interim charge of John Kennedy are looking to sell players as well, possibly up to three players and Edouard is one of the main and possibly one of the most valuable assets at Parkhead.
"What I've been told is that they're willing to market and sell (Alexandre) Lacazette, who is of a similar style but aged 29 and the outlay that Arsenal have put in to him in terms of transfer fee and wages is someone they want to cash in on with regards to a move out."
Edouard scored his 20th goal of the season in a 1-0 win against Aberdeen last week, taking his tally to 81 in 160 matches since signing for Celtic.