Arsenal have had a £30m bid for Leicester City midfielder Riyad Mahrez rejected by the Premier League champions, according to a report.
The Algeria international starred for the Foxes in their memorable campaign last time out to be crowned the PFA Player of the Year.
Leicester co-owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha recently claimed that Mahrez was "not for sale" when asked to comment on speculation surrounding the 25-year-old's future, but French publication L'Equipe reports that an official approach has now been made.
It is suggested that the opening bid for the 17-goal winger fell well short of City's valuation, however, with the Gunners now preparing an improved second offer to test their league rivals' resolve.
Leicester have already fended off Arsenal to keep hold of top-scoring striker Jamie Vardy, who penned a new deal at the King Power Stadium earlier this summer.