Arsenal are one of four teams “interested” in signing Rennes winger Ibrahim Salah, according to Le360 Sport.

The Moroccan website claims that the Gunners have “sent” representatives to watch the 22-year-old play for Rennes in recent weeks as they weigh up an offer for the player.

Mikel Arteta’s side will have competition for Salah, though, with Le360 Sport claiming that Valencia, Lille and an unnamed Belgian club have also been tracking his progress.

The forward has been in decent form this season, having scored 4 goals in 15 appearances for Rennes, but it must be said that he isn’t a regular starter for his club, having started just 2 league games in total.

What do Arsenal fans need to know about Salah?

The winger was actually born in Belgium and he came late to the professional game. Having progressed through Union Saint-Gilloise’s academy, there was a prospect of him making a move to Leicester City back in 2020. However, his transfer to England ended up collapsing.

Salah joined another Belgian club Gent instead in the summer of 2021 and,  just over a year later, he made his senior debut at the age of 20. Within six months he had earned a transfer to Rennes, joining the Ligue One side in the 2023 January transfer window.

A backup option for Martinelli?

Salah is right-footed but he prefers to play off the left flank, which would suggest he is being eyed as a potential understudy for Gabriel Martinelli.

With Arsenal having limited funds due to Financial Fair Play, it would not be a complete surprise if sporting director Edu and manager Mikel Arteta are considering economical solutions.

Even so, the fact that Salah isn’t even a regular starter for Rennes would suggest he is not ready to make the step up to the Premier League, despite his undoubted potential.