Arsenal have reportedly reignited their interest in Barcelona attacker Raphinha after missing out on the signing of Mykhaylo Mudryk.
The Gunners endured weeks of difficult negotiations with Shakhtar Donetsk over a move for Mudryk but ultimately failed to bow to the Ukrainian giants' £88.7m asking price.
Mudryk made his desire to move to the Emirates clear, dropping several hints on social media, but Chelsea stole in on Saturday as Arsenal struggled to agree a fee.
Both Shakhtar and Chelsea have now confirmed that Mudryk is on the verge of joining the Blues, having already flown to London to undergo his medical and put pen to paper on a seven-year deal.
Having lost out on their top January target, Arsenal are now working to find alternative attacking reinforcements as they aim to sustain a Premier League title charge in the second half of the season.
According to Sport Italia, Arsenal could once again turn to Raphinha, whom they were linked with over the summer before Barcelona won the race for his signature.
The Brazil international's 11 goals helped Leeds United stave off relegation to the Championship last season, but he has found it difficult to make his mark in Catalonia.
Raphinha has managed three goals and five assists in 22 outings for Xavi's side, starting seven games in the Spanish top flight and appearing as a substitute in a further eight.
The report adds that Arsenal sporting director Edu has already made contact with Barcelona to register their interest, but the Gunners have not presented an offer just yet.
Raphinha remains under contract at Camp Nou until 2027, meaning that the Blaugrana should not be pressured into selling on the cheap, and Xavi could already lose a number of other attackers this month.
Memphis Depay is believed to be on his way out of the club in January before his contract expires in June, and the Dutchman is supposedly in talks with Atletico Madrid over a winter move.
Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres - the latter of whom Arsenal have also been linked with - could also depart Barcelona in January, likely leaving Xavi reluctant to part ways with Raphinha as well.
Arsenal are currently working without Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson due to injury, with the former expected to remain out until March at the earliest after undergoing knee surgery.
However, Arteta has been boosted by the return of Emile Smith Rowe from a groin operation, with the 22-year-old making his first appearance since September in Monday's 3-0 FA Cup third-round win over Oxford United.
Following Manchester City's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday, Arsenal could move eight points clear of the champions at the top of the Premier League table with victory over Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday's North London derby. body check tags ::
