Arsenal fans go wild as striker transfer target Alexis-Claude Maurice is spotted in London with Matteo Guendouzi

ALEXIS CLAUDE-MAURICE sent speculation over a move to Arsenal soaring amongst excited fans after Matteo Guendouzi posted pictures of them out in London.

The France Under-20 frontman has been linked with following Guendouzi from Ligue 2 side Lorient to the Gunners for £9million.

Claude-Maurice, 20, looked happy to pose for snaps as he grinned on a night out with his former team-mate.

One Arsenal fan even tweeted: “Alexis Claude Maurice > Alexis Sanchez”

Another said “Get innnnn” – but one supporter posted: “Not a striker.”

A more detailed post read: “Think he could be decent… But 14 goals and 4 assists in 35 odd games at 20 is a very decent return, and plays on either wing and can play 10.”

One fan, though, tried to dampen down any hype over Claude-Maurice.

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He wrote: “Alexis is the next (Messi, Pele, Maradona, Ronaldo). There fixed it.”

Claude-Maurice’s pal, 20-year-old midfielder Guendouzi, was an instant hit when swappingd Lorient for the Emirates last summer, even if his form later dipped.

And Arsenal boss Unai Emery is a fan of recruiting young players who can grow with his squad over the next few years.

Claude-Maurice also offers versatility as he can play down both flanks.

Emery wants something different to add to main frontmen Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette,

And the Lorient livewire fits the bill on that score too.