Arsenal are claimed to have been offered the chance to sign Valencia defender Aymen Abdennour, instead of defensive partner Shkodran Mustafi.
The Gunners were forced to field an inexperienced pairing at centre-back this week, and were severely punished by Liverpool, who in turn put four goals past us.
We will be expected to have Laurent Koscielny back to start in our next league encounter on Saturday, when we travel to take on last year’s surprise Premier League winners Leicester City.
A defensive addition is still necessary however, with Per Mertesacker ruled out until the new year, and with Rob Holding and Calum Chambers not ready to be relied upon as we look to try and mount a title challenge this season.
A deal was said to be in the pipeline to bring the German international to the Emirates early this week, having held talks about his signing last week, but the deal appears to have stalled.
Valencia are now claimed to have offered Arsenal another option in Abdennour instead, who has been linked with a move to the club previously.
The Tunisian defender joined only last summer following the sale of Nicolas Otamendi to Manchester City, and despite signing a five-year deal, is claimed to be a possible departure in the current window.
Everton have also been linked with a possible move to bring in the 27 year-old, but they have already completed a signing for Ashley Williams this week, and may no longer be looking at defensive arrivals.
Could Abdennour do a job for our club? Is the Mustafi deal dead?