Arsenal could still plan to strike a loan deal for Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho before the transfer window closes, consistent with a report.
The former Liverpool man is back in Barcelona under the tutelage of latest manager Ronald Koeman, but Coutinho's future at Camp Nou remains shrouded in uncertainty.
The playmaker enjoyed a fruitful 2019-20 campaign on loan at Bayern Munich - registering 11 goals and nine assists as Bayern lifted the Champions League trophy - but the Bundesliga giants ultimately decided against making his stay in Bavaria permanent.
According to Sport, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta remains keen to feature reinforcements to his midfield ranks, and also the Spaniard could be a big fan of Coutinho.
The report claims that Koeman is willing at hand Coutinho a replacement lease of life in Catalonia, but the Gunners are confident of completing a deal because of Barcelona's got to balance the books.
The Gunners still be linked with Lyon's Houssem Aouar and Atletico Madrid's Thomas Partey, but deals for both midfielders are looking increasingly unlikely with the transfer window set to shut on October 5.
Coutinho is contracted to Barcelona until 2023.