Internazionale are ready to tempt Arsenal with a player-exchange deal in a bid to bring either Robert Pires or Freddie Ljungberg to the San Siro.

The Serie A heavyweights have made signing a left-sided midfielder their priority this summer, and the Gunners have two of the most effective in Europe.

France star Pires, who scored 16 goals from midfield last season, is out of contract next summer but has pledged his immediate future to Highbury, while Ljungberg is also happy in London.

But with Arsene Wenger keen to shuffle his squad after narrowly failing to win a second sucessive Premiersip title, Inter will offer the likes of French midfielder Stephane Dalmat as bait.

Inter sporting director Marco Branca said: "Pires and Ljungberg are the two players we believe would benefit us the most technically.

"Realistically, we couldn't expect to get both. But we will talk to Arsenal during the coming week to see if they are prepared to let one or the other go.

"In return, we will see if they believe we have players who can help them technically too. Player-exchange is the way to go in future because of the financial situation in the transfer market."