Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez is believed to be open to the idea of a move to Arsenal this summer.
But the Gunners' hopes of landing the Argentinean appear to have been dealt a big blow by Romelu Lukaku's seemingly imminent return to Chelsea.
Martinez scored 19 goals in all competitions for his club last season to help them fire to the Serie A title and the 23-year-old is widely regarded as one of the most promising young forwards in Europe.
However, with Inter facing financial difficulties there was a belief that they would be willing to let the player go for the right price, and Martinez himself is said to have always been interested in the Premier League.
But the Lukaku deal changes everything, and according to Sky Sport Italia Inter are not prepared to allow both stars to leave ahead of the new season.
Lukaku has informed the club of his desire to go back to Stamford Bridge, and it is stated that privately Inter are resigned to losing their talisman.
And given the transfer fee is likely to be somewhere in the region of an eye-watering £105m, they will have far less of a need to sell Martinez as a result - thus effectively ending Arsenal's hopes.
Lukaku's move could be confirmed over the next week or so, but Inter's ultras have sent a sinister message to the board over his sale.
A banner has been placed outside the club's headquarters that reads: "To the club, watch out…promises must be maintained."
Club CEO Beppe Marotta claimed earlier this summer that the striker would not be offloaded.
He said: “From our side, we can yes absolutely, Lukaku is not for sale. Lukaku is an important piece on the chessboard available to Simone Inzaghi.”
The sale of Achraf Hakimi to PSG generated £51m but was immensely unpopular yet fans have been told that further departures could happen before the end of the window.
Inter begin the defence of their Scudetto at home to Genoa in just under three weeks’ time, but Chelsea are looking to take advantage of the uncertainty surrounding the club.
Thomas Tuchel inherited a squad last season that had been build by Frank Lampard with Timo Werner their main marksman, but he struggled in his debut year which has forced the Blues back into the market.
Erling Haaland was heavily linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge but Borussia Dortmund are refusing to entertain his sale.
