Arsenal were dealt a blow as striker Benjamin Sesko, who was high on the transfer wishlist, will now stay at RB Leipzig.
The 21-year-old was strongly admired by Arsenal, who presented proposals to Sesko alongside Manchester United and Chelsea, but he has now confirmed that he will remain at Leipzig and sign a new contract.
This comes as a blow to Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar, as the attacker appeared to be the perfect profile of what Arsenal need from a striker: fast, young, and has the potential to improve, whilst easing in alongside Kai Havertz.
The question now remains of what Arsenal will do to strengthen the attack. The priority will be to add speed to an otherwise slow front line when Gabriel Martinelli is absent, and a winger may be targeted of a centre-forward.
Arsenal could sign winger Nico Williams instead of a centre-forward after Sesko rejection
The Standard has now reported that instead of looking for an alternative striker, Arsenal could sign a winger without a natural centre-forward arriving, and Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams has been linked.
The 21-year-old is greatly admired by Arsenal, and has a £43m release clause, but it is questionable whether he wants to leave La Liga and his hometown in the Basque Country.
Williams would bring speed and a goal threat, and can play on both sides but not as a central striker. However, this could still help solve Arsenal’s striking issue.
Gabriel Jesus role could determine Arsenal transfer policy
Right now, Arsenal have Kai Havertz, Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus as central striking options.
Nketiah is expected to depart, which will provide a huge boost in terms of profit and sustainability rules, and the future of Jesus is under question, although it would be something of a shock if he is sold.
If a centre-forward is signed, the expectation may have been that Jesus provides wing cover on both sides, as he has done in recent months.
However, if a winger is signed with no number nine coming in, then the Brazilian could still be used in a central role, and with Trossard also available as a false nine, Arsenal would not be short of options if one attacking player arrived, regardless of what position he plays in.