Arsenal ‘join Aston Villa in transfer battle for Ligue 1 star Lois Openda’ who’s bagged 17 goals this season

ARSENAL have joined the hunt for Lens star Lois Openda, according to reports.

The Gunners are on the search for a new striker to provide competition for Gabriel Jesus.

AFP

Arsenal are interested in signing Lois Openda[/caption]

And Openda fits the bill after scoring 17 goals in 32 Ligue Un games this season.

Arsenal are interested in signing the forward and could make a move this summer, according to Fichajes.

Aston Villa are also believed to be monitoring the 23-year-old, who has helped propel Lens to third place in the league.

Fellow Premier League side Leicester are interested too and tried to sign him last summer.

Openda has improved significantly since then and grabbed headlines last month when he broke the record for the faster Ligue Un hat-trick.

He fired in three goals against Clermont Foot in just four minutes and 31 seconds.

Arsenal could bolster their defence with the acquisition of Real Vallodolid star Ivan Fresneda this summer.

The right-back, 18, has been on Arsenal’s radar for a while and came close to joining in the January window but a deadline day move collapsed at the last minute, despite a fee of £13million being agreed.

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The Spaniard has also attracted interest from German giants Borussia Dortmund and has been learning English and German.

The Gunners are also keeping an eye on Declan Rice and would have been impressed with his recent display against them in the 2-2 draw earlier this month.