Raul de Tomas is unlikely to join Arsenal before the Monday's transfer deadline at 11pm football.london understands.
The 27-year-old Spaniard who has an impressive record of 38 goals in 71 games for Espanyol emerged as a late candidate for the Gunners who are looking to strengthen in the centre forward position before the January window slams shut.
Flo Balogun has left the club to join Middlesbrough on loan till the end of the season, meaning that as things stand Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are there main options up front, while Gabriel Martinelli can play there if needed.
It was thought that de Tomas could arrive to bolster depth in the No.9 spot, but sources close to the player have revealed to football.london that any deal will be very difficult this late in the window.
It is not thought that this will impact the impending exit of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang however.
The 32-year-old has not featured for Arsenal since being stripped of the captaincy for disciplinary breaches last month, and is firmly out of Mikel Arteta's first team picture after not being invited on the club's mid-season training trip to Dubai.
As a result, he looks likely to complete a loan move to Barcelona before the transfer window shuts.
Saudi side Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal both showed interest but the Saudi Arabian Professional League deadline has now passed, and the fact that Aubameyang wanted to stay in Europe meant that a move there was always unlikely.
There is still an agreement to be struck over exactly how the Gabon international's salary will be split between Arsenal and Barcelona, but it is thought that this could be sealed before 11pm.
Nketiah meanwhile is currently unlikely to leave despite late interest from Newcastle who are willing to bring him in on a permanent deal before his contract expires in the summer.
Alexander Isak of Real Sociedad meanwhile is a player who the have looked at, but the player's release clause appears to mean any deal for him is unlikely at this point.
Edu is still thought to be working hard to try and secure an incoming deal to the Emirates before the window closes on Monday night however.
