According to sources, Arsenal are ready to step up their interest in signing Serbian playmaker, Adem Ljajic.

The Gunners have been linked with a move for the midfielder in the past but a move has so far failed to come to fruition.

The 22 year-old was set for a move to the Premier League in 2010 when Manchester United would supposedly sign the youngster along with Zoran Tosic.

Tosic arrived at Old Trafford in 2009 while Ljajic remained with Partizan Belgrade for the remainder of the year, ready to complete the switch in January 2010.

The Red Devils backed out of the move one month before it was set to come about however and Fiorentina were quick to pounce on the player’s €8m transfer.

Partizan claimed that Sir Alex Ferguson’s side would regret their decision and Arsene Wenger would be hoping for that to be true as he seeks to sign the 22 year-old and use him against their English rivals.

The North London outfit are still struggling to cope with the summer losses of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri and although Aaron Ramsey has done well to fill in as playmaker, the injury absence of Jack Wilshere has also been evident.

As a result, Wenger’s side have been repeatedly associated with numerous creative midfielder as they seek to fill a midfield void that is usually well looked after at the Emirates Stadium.

Ljajic has made 49 appearances for Fiorentina since 2010, netting on three occasions for the Serie A side.

If the Serbian international were to make the switch to the English top flight, his signing would be expected to cost around £10m.