Arsenal Ready £30m Bid for Southampton Duo Morgan Schneiderlin and Dejan Lovren

Arsenal are reportedly considering a £30m offer to land Southampton duo Morgan Schneiderlin and Dejan Lovren, according to Goal.

The Gunners are in the market for a central defender and a holding midfielder and boss Arsene Wenger seems to have earmarked the Saints duo as the preferred candidates for the positions.

Schneiderlin and Lovren have both made it clear to the Southampton hierarchy that they wish to play in the Champions League and are looking to move on from the club.

The Saints have already seen an exodus of marquee players, with Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana joining Liverpool, Luke Shaw completing his big money move to Manchester United and manager Mauricio Pochettino leaving to take over the reins at Tottenham.

Arsenal are looking for a long-term replacement for current holding player Mikel Arteta and feel the French midfielder is perfectly suited for the role and with Thomas Vermaelen wanting a move to United, Croatian defender Lovren could fit in nicely in north London as he would suit the Gunners style of play.

The Saints duo, who were with their countries at the World Cup, will be heading on holiday since their campaign ended in Brazil. They both seem very keen on a move away and it is claimed Lovren is willing to force a move upon his return to the club for pre-season.

However, it is reported that Wenger will not sanction a move for the Southampton players until he first hears from his primary summer target Alexis Sanchez about his willingness to choose the Emirates stadium as his next home.

Meanwhile, Schneiderlin and Lovren have been the subject of bids from other clubs from the Premier League as well. The Frenchman has been linked with moves to Tottenham and Napoli, while the Croatian defender has been on Liverpool's radar.

It is also rumoured that Liverpool had a bid rejected for the defender as Southampton look to stand their ground and keep the player at St Mary's for another season.