While on the continent, Gunners chiefs held talks with the representatives of Joan Garcia, the Espanyol goalkeeper who the club attempted to recruit back in the summer. During those conversations, according to The Athletic, Arsenal also raised the prospect of signing Morata who shares and agent with Garcia.

Arsenal were eventually ‘beaten to the punch’ by Turkish giants Galatasaray, who secured a loan deal until the end of the season for the Spain international. The report in The Athletic added:

Arsenal failed to land a new striker throughout the January transfer window and Mikel Arteta passed up the opportunity to pursue ex-Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata