Unai Emery’s Arsenal are unlikely to pursue a deal for Jean Michael Seri of Nice, the Evening Standard reports.
Arsenal made contact with the Ivorian international last month but now look set to pursue other midfield options.
Seri is a top transfer target for several Premier League teams and would be available for a fee in the region of £35million.
Despite Arsenal having enquired about the 26-year-old, it is said that Seri would prefer a move to Chelsea or Manchester City.
It is reported that Arsenal are not completely ruling out a move for Seri but that they are keeping their options open as they look to sign a central midfielder this summer.
The Gunners are also being linked with moves for Hoffenheim’s Kerem Demirbay and Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini, both of which may be more viable transfer targets for Emery.
Pellegrini has been repeatedly linked with Arsenal and with a £22million release clause in his contract would come at a much cheaper price than Seri.
However any potential midfield moves for the Gunners are being complicated by the futures of Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey.
Wilshere is out-of-contract at the Emirates next month and has yet to sign a new deal despite negotiations having been ongoing for several months now.
Ramsey too has been in discussions with the club over a new deal for several months, with just one year left on his current deal.
