Arsenal may have to wait to confirm the announcement of the signing of Martin Odegaard.
football.london understands the Norwegian is close to completing a loan move to the Emirates for the remainder of the season.
The Gunners have reportedly beaten off competition from Real Sociedad to sign the attacking midfielder.
The deal is expected to be completed relatively soon but there are factors that mean it could end up being slightly delayed.
UK government guidelines dictate that anyone coming in from Spain has to isolate for a period of 10 days upon arrival due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Travellers into the country from Spain will also have to provide a negative test after five days to avoid a lengthier period of quarantine.
Odegaard himself already tested positive for the virus in September. However, that will not exempt him from being required to see out the mandatory isolation period.
There are currently ten days remaining in the January transfer window, and while it is possible for Arsenal to still complete the deal despite the quarantine, this could end up delaying the deal.
The isolation period would also likely delay the Norwegian being able to train with his new teammates for some time, and potentially set back his debut in an Arsenal shirt as well.
There were some fears that the transfer could be put on hold even longer after it emerged that Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane tested positive for coronavirus on Friday.
However, it was later confirmed that Odegaard has not been identified as a close contact of the French coach, meaning that he is free to travel to London to complete the move.
The Gunners have already had experience of having to wait to secure transfer due to COVID guidelines.
The move for Gabriel from Lille in the summer window was heavily delayed by the player having to see through a compulsory 14-day isolation period after his arrival from France.
The virus is still impacting Arsenal's transfer business this month as well.
Mikel Arteta revealed earlier this week that Mesut Ozil's move to Fenerbahce is being held up by strict COVID laws in Turkey.
"The quarantine situation is making that final step the longest ever," he said.
"They have a lot of restrictions there are things that have to be done before announcing everything.
"I think everything seems to be going ok, but I cannot say definitely what’s going to happen. So as soon as we can don’t worry we will mention it."
