Arsenal have no plans to part company with Viktor Gyokeres amid mounting speculation that Barcelona are interested in the striker.
Hansi Flick is keen to bolster his forward line following the departure of Ferran Torres to Paris Saint-Germain.
Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, also wanted by Arsenal, has been Barcelona’s No.1 target all summer but their La Liga rivals have outright refused to do business with them.
As such, the Spanish champions have been forced to look elsewhere and are reported to have identified Gyokeres as an alternative target.
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The Sweden international scored 21 goals in all competitions for Arsenal last season in all competitions, but failed to fully adjust to the demands of Premier League football.
Indeed, once he returned to full fitness following a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Kai Havertz won his place back in the team and was preferred from the start on Sunday as the Gunners began the new season with a 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield.
Barcelona are yet to make contact with Arsenal or the former Sporting Lisbon centre forward’s representatives, but are poised to do.
Arsenal for their part, according to Fabrizio Romano, are at this juncture planning on keeping Gyokeres and believe he will improve in his second season.
Mikel Arteta is said to be happy with the 28-year-old’s performances and contribution to the team while he also believes a forward boasting his physical attributes represents an asset.
That said, Arsenal could still look to make at least one attacking signing before the window closes on September 1 with Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen the latest name to be linked with the north London club.
The Gunners are expected to be busy trimming their squad before the start of September with Reiss Nelson, Fabio Vieira and Gabriel Jesus expected to depart.
West Ham are in talks to sign Nelson, while Vieira is hoping to return to Hamburg where he spent last season on loan.
Jesus, meanwhile, is of interest to Napoli but they are currently struggling to meet his salary expectations.
The futures of Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Martinelli are also the subjects of much conjecture with speculation intensifying after they were left out of Sunday’s matchday squad.
Asked about their absences against City, Mikel Arteta told TNT Sports: ‘It’s really sad not to have their availability.
‘I’ve been fighting with the Premier League to extend and accommodate more players in the squad because they deserve to be in the squad, there’s no question.
‘Ethan [Nwaneri] and Marli [Salmon] as well, who has had the whole pre-season with us. Hopefully we can change that rule so players can enjoy on the pitch and can be an option to play and contribute to the team going forward.’