Arsenal have reportedly made their first offer of around £30m for Norwich City playmaker Emiliano Buendia.
With Real Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard seemingly unlikely to remain at the Emirates Stadium beyond the summer, Gunners chiefs have earmarked the number 10 position as a priority for the upcoming transfer window.
Arsenal have long been linked with a swoop for Buendia - who is already Premier League-proven - but Canaries chief Stuart Webber has affirmed that it would take a club-record fee to sanction an exit for the 24-year-old.
According to football.london, Arsenal and Aston Villa made their first moves for Buendia on Wednesday, but bids of £30m from both sides were pushed back by Norwich.
The report adds that Buendia would face a 'difficult choice' if Arsenal and Villa are ready to offer the Argentine similar wages, but the North London club are still optimistic about their chances of winning the race for his services.
The attacker scored 15 goals and assisted 17 more in Norwich's triumphant Championship campaign last term, and while Villa are also thought to be interested in him, the West Midlands outfit are reportedly keeping tabs on Emile Smith Rowe's contract situation at Arsenal.
Ben Knapton
