Arsenal are reportedly back in the race to sign Benfica centre-back Ruben Dias.
The Portuguese star, who has a £54m release clause, has previously been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer.
According to the Daily Mail , Arsenal have now drafted him back onto their shortlist after club captain Laurent Koscielny refused to travel to the USA for their pre-season tour.
The situation with the Frenchman has made centre-back a pressing concern for Unai Emery, who had Dias on his shortlist of potential targets at the start of the transfer window.
With a limited budget, he reportedly decided to focus his resources elsewhere.
But with moves for the likes of Wilfried Zaha and Ryan Fraser looking unlikely to materialise, he could now prioritise a top class centre-back.
The Gunners leaked goals last season and need reinforcements, and 22-year-old Portugal international Dias would represent a huge signing.
However, his release clause would wipe out Arsenal's entire transfer budget unless they could sell players.
As a result, they are likely to try and negotiate with Benfica for a lower price with a view to paying in installments over a longer period of time.
Dias is still believed to be on the radar of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has instead focused most of his attentions on trying to sign Harry Maguire.
With the move for the Leicester man looking unlikely to happen, he could still be an option for United if Arsenal don't act first.
Dias has impressed for Benfica over the course of more than 100 appearances, and made himself at home at international level with 11 caps since being handed his debut last summer.
