Arsene Wenger is keen on Lille playmaker Eden Hazard but fears he could be priced out of a move for the player.
Wenger has been tracking Hazard for some time and would like to bring him to the Emirates Stadium if the price is right.
However, Lille are after a fee in the region of £20million and that could price the Gunners out of the market.
"You should know that each season, it is imperative to show a profit of between fifteen and twenty million pounds," said Wenger. "I would add that the purpose of a coach is to always buy at a price he sees fit.
"I really like him [Hazard] and, for several reasons: it's his creative power, his ability to mis-align the opponent, his vision of the game and his consummate skill to address the last pass which make him a very interesting player.
"Hazard has what it takes to play for a top-level club, and Arsenal are a top-level club."
Chelsea and Real Madrid are also keen on Hazard and have the finances to complete a deal ahead of Arsenal, who may have to switch to other targets.