Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has handed encouragement to Liverpool and other interested parties in the hunt for the services of Folarin Balogun.
The highly-rated striker has entered the final months of his deal at the Emirates Stadium and Arteta has admitted he is unsure if an extension will be agreed.
While Arsenal, Arteta and the player himself are keen on a deal, according to the Spaniard, pressure has been put upon the agent representing the 19-year-old.
Arteta is 'not sure' the agent is keen on a deal, which could spark movement in the market with a host of sides, including Liverpool, attributed with an interest in his services.
"You need three parties to make a deal. For sure the club wants to make a deal, the manager wants to make a deal," he told a press conference, as reported by our sister site Football.London
"The player wants to make a deal and I'm not sure about the agent. I'm not saying he's stopping. We need to find an agreement with him.
"We are negotiating at the end with an agent, with a player that wants to stay at the club. We need to find an agreement.
"I'm telling you that we are doing everything we can to keep him here and hopefully from the other part they're doing the same and defending the player's interest, which is to stay at the football club and be successful with us."
Swansea City are in the hunt for Balogun's services, with the Championship club eyeing a loan deal for the teenager until the end of the season.
It was reported last week that Liverpool are eyeing a free transfer for the New York born striker when his deal expires this summer.
