Arsenal are set to open the bidding for Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud, by offering £6.4million plus the services of Marouane Chamakh, according to French reports.
The Gunners are long-term admirers of 25-year-old Giroud, who enjoyed his best season in professional football last term, scoring 21 goals in 36 matches as Montpellier secured their first ever Ligue 1 title.
Aston Villa, Liverpool and Newcastle have also made checks on the powerful hitman, but Arsenal remain in pole position, especially after German side Bayern Munich dropped their fleeting interest over the weekend.
Giroud is currently contracted to Montpellier until 2014, and despite seeing his £10.4million buyout clause rise to £12.8million following his side's title success, the France international still represents good value.
However, Arsenal are hoping to do business on the cheap, with RMC reporting that manager Arsene Wenger is set to offer just over £6million in cash, plus a ready made replacement in Chamakh.
The Moroccan has been told he can quit the Emirates for the right price this summer, having largely failed to replicate the form he showed for Bordeaux between 2008-2010, where he scored 32 times in two seasons.
The 28-year-old only found the net once in 19 appearances last term, and with his regular trips back to France suggesting he is unsettled in north London, Wenger is ready to use his reputation on the content to move the Moroccan on in another deal.
Montpellier are unlikely to want to accept the proposed offer, but may want to bring Chamakh in anyway, with rumours in France that he could be sold for as little as £3 million.
Giroud is widely expected to leave Montpellier this summer, but has been advised by his agent to leave any transfer talk until after Euro 2012, where a strong showing for France could entice further interest.