Ligue 1 outfit, Nice, have made a £6.8 million move to rival Arsenal for Nigeria forward, Henry Onyekuru.
The French side believe they may hold the upper hand in negotiations as work permit rules are not as strict in France and they can offer Champions League football.
The 19-year-old from Belgian club, Eupen, has just one cap for his country and Arsenal have been told they will have to increase their own offer of £6.8 million to £7.85 million plus wages of £35,000 a week to ensure the teenager qualifies for a permit in England under the totting-up procedure.
Nice have a strong reputation in France for recruiting young players and aiding their development.
They finished third this season under Lucien Favre who was approached by Borussia Dortmund to take over from coach Thomas Tuchel.