Arsenal have reportedly made the decision to focus on Alvaro Morata ahead of Alexander Isak on deadline day despite the Swedish striker's latest hints that a Gunners move could be on the cards.
Isak, 22, is one of many number 9's that have been eyed by the north London outfit as they look to sign a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang replacement before granting the Gabon international permission to seal his Barcelona move.
The Gunners had been pursuing Dusan Vlahovic before the Serbian eventually joined Juventus, with football.london reporting earlier this month that the player always favoured a move to a Serie A club.
Technical director Edu is said to be interested in both Lille frontman Jonathan David and Sociedad star Isak, with the latter spotted in London on Saturday, sparking a wave of excitement from Arsenal fans who thought the player could be on his way to the Emirates Stadium.
However, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo have claimed that the La Liga side remain calm on the Swedish international's future and won't allow him to leave unless his €90million (£75.4million) release clause is met.
With Arsenal not willing to sanction such significant funds for a striker who could easily flop in the Premier League, a safer option that has been eyed ahead of the final day of this mid-season transfer market is ex-Chelsea flop Morata.
This is according to Spanish outlet AS who have reported that Arteta has personally requested Edu to make a play for the Juventus loanee with his parent club Atletico Madrid keen for him to go outside of La Liga and not to Barcelona, where he was previously linked.
The report goes on to add that Miguel Molina, Arteta's assistant, has personally spoken with Morata. He has made him see that he would fit in and that he is the missing piece for the Spanish coach for an Arsenal that is coming strong.
Initially, it looked as though Spurs could be in line to make a late move for 29-year-old's services but Fabio Paratici instead focussed on Dejan Kulusevski who they are set to sign alongside Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur on deadline day.
Despite his 30 goals in 72 Chelsea appearances, the ex-Real Madrid man's previous Premier League warning will ring alarm bells with Arsenal fans who at this rate just want to see a signing made amid midfield disappointment with the likes of Arthur Melo.
"I'm happy at Atleti, I'd stopped enjoying football and now I'm happy," Morata told COPE and Radio MARCA in November 2019.
"I was playing some games in England and I had the feeling that when I got into space, my team-mates looked at me and I knew they thought I wouldn't do anything good with the ball.
"It was driving me crazy. I had a bad time."
