The Arthur Melo to Arsenal transfer saga looks set to rumble on into the final week of the January transfer window.
One of the Gunners' main transfer priorities this month, in terms of incomings at least, has been to sign a midfielder and there have been links to a number of players across Europe as well as in the Premier League.
Renato Sanches, Bruno Guimaraes, Georginio Wijnaldum and Youri Tielemans have been just some of the names tipped to make a move to the Emirates Stadium in the winter window.
However, it has emerged that Juventus' Arthur is the chosen one.
With Mikel Arteta keen on bolstering his midfield options, football.london have reported that Arsenal are hopeful of signing the Brazilian on loan for the remainder of the season.
In fact, they were pushing to complete a deal prior to last weekend's north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur that was postponed as the Gunners had fewer than the required number of players (13 outfield players and one goalkeeper) available for the match.
Of course, over a week has passed since that development and Arthur remains a Juventus player.
But an agreement over his departure could be close with Tuttosport claiming that Arsenal are now 'willing' to complete an 18-month loan deal instead of just six months.
If reports coming out of Italy are true, then the Gunners now have just over a week to get the deal over the line.
With that said, Juventus have made a decision regarding the 25-year-old ahead of their Serie A clash against AC Milan on Sunday evening that may hint at a possible farewell appearance.
As expected, Arthur has been named in the matchday squad by Massimiliano Allegri.
Confirmation of the Bianconeri's travelling party was announced via social media and the midfielder has been named alongside the likes of Paulo Dybala, Alvaro Morata and former Gunners goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Is this a clue that Arsenal will have to wait until the final week of the January transfer window to finalise a deal?
If so, then the Brazilian midfielder will become the Gunners' first major signing of the month, with left-back Lino Da Cruz Sousa regarded as one for the future.
Alternatively, this could be further proof that Arthur is part of Allegri's plans for the remainder of the season after the Italian labelled him an important player.
"This is our team and we’re not gonna change anything," he said ahead of the Milan game. "Arthur’s part of Brazil national team, he’s an important player."
One way or another, clarity over Arthur's future and Arsenal's transfer plans will arrive in the coming days.
