Arsenal will have to spend a large amount of their limited transfer budget to sign Ismaila Sarr (Image: GETTY)
Arsenal boss Unai Emery is interested in the Senegalese international winger, but faces stiff competition for his signature.
Sarr is reportedly open to a move to the Premier League and Stade Rennais are understood to value the player at £36million.
Watford are currently the only club to have made a bid for the player, but the Gunners are monitoring the situation, according to French magazine Le 10 Sport.
The Hornets have reportedly tabled a bid of €30m (£26.6m) for the player, but Rennes are holding out for more.
It is claimed Sarr is tempted by Watford’s offer and if Emery wants to beat the Hornets to his transfer target then Arsenal will need to place a rival offer.
Sarr is one of Rennes' best players after scoring 13 goals and providing 11 assists in all competitions for the French club last season.
His performances on the field have seen the attacking player receive plaudits, with Jose Mourinho drawing a comparison to Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele.
"I like the speed of Ismaila Sarr who has a little Dembele in him,” Mourinho told French radio station RMC Sport.
Stade Rennais value Ismaila Sarr at £36million (Image: GETTY)
Arsenal boss Unai Emery is impressed with the performances of Ismaila Sarr (Image: GETTY)
Sarr is expected to play an important part for Senegal in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations which begins tomorrow.
And if he puts in impressive performances in Egypt he could see his value increase even further.
In other transfer news, Emery is also looking to reinforce his defence for next season.
The Gunners are interested in Saint-Etienne defender William Saliba and could now be in a position make an opening offer by the end of the week.
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Ismaila Sarr scored 13 goals and providing 11 assists in all competitions for Rennes last season (Image: GETTY)
Arsenal target Ismaila Sarr shares intense training session
Although the French side recently agreed a new contract with the 18-year-old they are still open to selling the youngster, who they value at around £26m.
Arsenal are also interested in Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney.
Emery reportedly believes the 22-year-old can make the transition from the Scottish top flight to the Premier League and views the player as a shrewd investment.
Tierney is currently contracted to Glasgow club until 2023, but it’s believed a bid in the range of £20m could be enough to seal a transfer.