Arsenal signed six players in the summer transfer window.
But there were a number of reported targets who stayed at their respective clubs.
One transfer rumour which certainly excited a number of Gunners fans in the summer was that of being in the running alongside Liverpool and Manchester United to sign Ajax midfielder Hakim Ziyech.
A standout player from the reigning Dutch champions' excellent run to the Champions League semi-final last season, Ziyech was also attracting interest from La Liga outfit Sevilla.
Amid reports from the Netherlands from De Telegraaf (via the Mirror ) which claimed that the asking price for the attacker is in the region of £30m, it seemed inevitable that he would leave.
However, Ziyech didn't get a move from Ajax.
In fact, he signed a new deal with the club and that could be bad news for the Gunners should they wish to reignite any interest in future transfer windows.
This is because Ziyech's release clause has apparently been removed.
According to AS , Ajax offered Ziyech an improved deal without a release clause included so that could deter clubs from making an offer or spark a bidding war.
Furthermore, the report claims the attacking midfielder's new price tag is now £44m.
Interestingly, Ajax director of football and former Arsenal winger Marc Overmars suggested in the summer that Mesut Ozil was the reason for the Gunners not making a move for Ziyech.
"I am a little surprised that things are still so quiet around Hakim," Overmars said, as per AD. "I think he has played better every year and his statistics are exceptionally good. Many clubs are increasingly looking at that.
"They look more at the numbers than at what he shows and what is happening around him.
"I think Hakim is better than Mesut Özil. I would say: sell it and you will get Hakim for half.
"But they didn't listen to me, haha. So it could just be that he stays with Ajax."
