Nottingham Forest have identified Carl Jenkinson as their top right-back target before the transfer window closes on Thursday.
Nottinghamshire Live understands the Reds are in talks with the Arsenal defender about a move to the City Ground.
And the suggestion is those discussions are over the potential to complete a permanent switch to the Championship club, with goal.com claiming any agreement would be worth around £2m.
Forest head coach Sabri Lamouchi spoke of his plans to strengthen at full-back following his side’s opening day defeat to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
With first-choice Tendayi Darikwa facing surgery and a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a ruptured ACL, Matty Cash took up the position against the Baggies.
It is a role the academy graduate has filled before, and he earned praise from Lamouchi for the job he did at the weekend, having opened the scoring in the 2-1 loss.
Teenager Jayden Richardson is also rated very highly, with the Reds boss naming the youngster on the substitutes’ bench for the first game of the campaign.
But Lamouchi nevertheless remains keen to bring in another right-back as a matter of urgency.
“We are looking for another player in that position because Cashy alone is not enough,” he said. “We know he does not have experience in this position.”
The Premier League Gunners are said to be open to allowing Jenkinson to leave this summer, with his contract due to expire next year.
The 27-year-old has also been linked with Crystal Palace and West Brom this summer.
He has previously had loan spells at West Ham United and Birmingham City, and made just eight appearances for Arsenal last season.
