Arsenal must qualify for the Champions League if they are to have any hope of signing Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella, according to a report.
The Gunners are apparently trying to hijack Chelsea's move for the Italy international as they see him as an ideal replacement for Juventus-bound Aaron Ramsey.
AC Milan's Franck Kessie is an alternative option, but The Mirror reports that Barella is Unai Emery's preferred target.
However, Arsenal's hopes of landing the 22-year-old could depend on whether they can regain Champions League status over the next two months.
Emery's men can achieve that via two routes - either by finishing in the top four of the Premier League or by winning the Europa League, with a quarter-final against Napoli up next.
Barella is believed to be valued at £43m by Cagliari, which Arsenal will not be able to afford unless they return to the top table of European football.
Daniel Lewis
