There is less than a week remaining of the January transfer window and it now seems that a player decision made by Chelsea may have put Arsenal's move for Arthur Melo in doubt.
Mikel Arteta was eager to bolster his midfield during the January window and a loan deal for the Juventus man appeared to be likely, following a report from football.london earlier in the month.
The turn of the year saw Thomas Partey report for Africa Cup of Nations duty with Ghana while Granit Xhaka remained sidelined with an injury. Ainsley Maitland-Niles was also sent on loan to Roma.
But with Juventus unable to source an adequate replacement for Arthur were he to leave, the Gunners risk being left high and dry in their midfield hunt.
football.london understands that the next 48 hours will be crucial in terms of whether or not a deal can be struck and that despite being a peripheral figure in Turin this season, Massimiliano Allegri is unwilling to let his supporting act leave until a new signing is made.
Borussia Monchengladbach's Dennis Zakaria and Lyon's Bruno Guimaraes are both options.
One name that was also reported to be on their shortlist earlier in the month was Chelsea's Cobham graduate Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
The dynamic midfielder has also been a peripheral figure in west London and a report from Sky Sports in Italy claimed that he had been identified as a suitable replacement for Arthur.
However, this latest update in the Arthur saga seems to suggest that Chelsea will have knocked back any approach from the Bianconeri.
That decision in turn has set in motion a domino effect that has resulted in Juventus potentially pulling the plug on a transfer Mikel Arteta seemed determined to complete this month.
football.london understands that a new midfielder is on the club's wishlist this month, but until now has not been a top priority, with Newcastle looking set to secure the signature of Guimaraes from under the nose of Arsenal.
