Arsenal transfer BLOW! Juventus make formal approach for Gunners target Corentin Tolisso

Juventus have moved ahead of Arsenal in the race for Corentin Tolisso by opening formal negations with Lyon.

talkSPORT told you at the start of January about the Italian champions' interest in the 22-year-old after being impressed by his performances in the Champions League this season.

Arsenal are also admirers of the midfielder, who was courted heavily by Napoli during the summer transfer window.

Juventus, however, are now leading the race for Tolisso as - according to L'Equipe - they have begun talks with Lyon over a transfer.

The Ligue 1 club are very reluctant to lose one of their key men during the middle of the season, while the Frenchman himself is not convinced whether a January departure is the wisest decision.

However, Juve believe that by starting a dialogue now they can lay crucial groundwork ahead of a summer swoop for Tolisso, if they fail with an approach during the current transfer window.