Arsenal have turned their attentions to two transfer targets on deadline day after Leicester rejected their attempts to sign Youri Tielemans.
The Gunners have been hit by a wave of injuries, though remain top of the Premier League. They have won all five of their opening games so far this season, claiming a narrow win over Aston Villa to maintain that run on Wednesday night.
A serious injury to Mohamed Elneny, a thigh issue for Thomas Partey and a knee problem for Oleksandr Zinchenko has left Mikel Arteta with just two fit central midfielders. Arteta has always been keen to bring in another midfielder, though his attempts are now set to accelerate.
One option was thought to be Tielemans, who has entered the final year of his contract at Leicester. The Foxes are still hopeful of tying him down to a new deal, but the Gunners' interest in him is serious. But according to The Independent, Leicester have now rebuffed an attempt from Arsenal to sign Tielemans.
It is said that Brendan Rodgers does not want to see his squad 'completely gutted' after Wesley Fofana joined Chelsea. Rodgers' rejection has forced Arteta to turn towards other targets, including those as a short-term option. After he scored a stunning goal for Villa in their defeat at the Emirates, Douglas Luiz has emerged as a target.
Luiz has just one year remaining on his contract at Villa Park and has impressed in recent weeks. To add a further boost to Arsenal's hopes of signing him, Villa boss Steven Gerrard has admitted the Brazilian's future is up in the air.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who should be Arsenal's top target on deadline day? Comment below.
“There’s more than two people that are in control of that, but I’m certainly not one of them. That will be Douglas, that will be his agent and that will be what happens around that. I would like to keep him - he’s a fantastic player and I’ve made that abundantly clear," he said.
"We are not in a position to lose top players. But at the same time, Douglas has got a year to go and it is one of those really touchy situations where the club has to do what is best for the club, not necessarily what is best for me.”
As well as Luiz, it is stated that they are also still in talks with Palmerias over Danilo, though a January move appears the more likely scenario. Amid those two deadline day deals, Arteta has admitted he needs midfield reinforcements.
"Obviously, it has an impact because Thomas [Partey] is injured and we are a bit short in that position. We have Sambi and Granit can play there but we are looking at options in the market," Arteta said.
"The club has been super supportive to keep improving the squad and the team as we can, and if the right player is available and we can do it, we will try. We were pretty protected in that position and now we are more exposed.
"But we have to be more prepared for uncertainties. Injuries, suspensions and things like that can happen, especially this season which will be really strange with the World Cup. We’ll try to prevent things but sometimes it’s not easy."
