Arsenal have reportedly been dealt a blow with news that Dayot Upamecano will not be joining them this month.
Mikel Arteta is desperate to reshape his squad after his arrival as the permanent successor to former boss Unai Emery who was sacked last month.
Defence is a particular area of concern for the Spaniard especially following the news that Calum Chambers is out for the foreseeable future through injury.
RB Leipzig defender Upamecano was thought to be one of Arteta’s No 1 targets but Goal suggest that the Gunners have no plans to make any permanent signings this month.
They say that Arteta and the club are only looking at loan additions with the Frenchman only available permanently with a £40m asking price mooted.
Barcelona defender Jean-Clair Todibo is unlikely to join either with Football London reporting that Schalke have snapped him up on a six-month loan.
Elsewhere Arsenal are said to have pulled out of the race to sign Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Lemar this month.
The French international is available on a short-term deal with Atletico keen to move him on with him not part of Diego Simeone’s first-team plans currently.
A £5m loan fee followed by a £50m option to buy is on the table but, according to the Daily Mail, Arteta feels his squad is well-stocked in wide positions and won’t be pursuing a move.
Rivals Tottenham are thought to be front-runners for Lemar’s signature.
Arteta is chasing reinforcements in the middle of the park with Juventus’ Adrien Rabiotsaid to be a target.
The Frenchman only joined the Serie A champions last summer but has found first team football hard to come by.
As such he could be available on loan this month but Corriere dello Sport suggest that it is Everton who lead the race.
The Toffees, under the stewardship of new manager Carlo Ancelotti, are suggested to be ready to pay £5m in loan fees to secure his signature.
YoungsterEmile Smith-Rowe is set for a move away this month with a number of Championship clubs interested.
The 19-year-old spent last season at RB Leipzig with another move away on the cards now.
Huddersfield Town are said to be leading the way with boss Danny Cowley apparently a big admirer.
Striker Eddie Nketiah, who spent the first half of the campaign at Leeds, is also set to leave on loan again before the window shuts with Bristol City, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday said to be battling it out to sign him.
