The Gunners have fallen short in their Premier League title challenge after looking strong for much of the season and will need significant reinforcements to come back better next season and be able to fight on the Champions League front as well.

Manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu are looking at central midfield as a key area of improvement over the summer and where they are clearly planning to spend a significant amount of their budget.

The Athletic report that West Ham’s Declan Rice remains their key target in the middle of midfield, but they are also looking at Mount and have ‘concrete interest’ in Man City star Gundogan.

The Germany international is out of contract with the Premier League champions at the end of the season and they are keen to keep hold of him after another impressive campaign.

He has been linked with a move to Barcelona on a free transfer, but Arteta, who worked with the Germany international at the Etihad, is keen to tempt him to north London.

Given the 32-year-old has been playing regularly for the Premier League champions and could be set to be a big part of an historic treble, it would be a serious coup if Arteta could pull it off.

Mason Mount has had a season to forget at Chelsea (Picture: Getty Images)

Mount is heading into the final year of his Chelsea contract which expires in 2024 and a number of clubs are circling for a summer move if no new agreement is reached.

The England international has had a frustrating season with the Blues, which has been a turbulent time for the whole club, and Arsenal, along with Manchester United and Liverpool have been linked with offering him a new start.

Incoming Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino will have a big say in the matter as he will decide how important Mount is to his plans at Stamford Bridge, which will determine how likely he is to move on this summer.

source: metro.co.uk