Arthur move could be off after Arsenal 'reject' Juventus swap | OneFootball

Arsenal may have to look elsewhere for a midfielder after all this month.

The north London club have been heavily linked with a loan deal for Juventus midfielder Arthur but the Brazilian is now set to stay in Turin, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Talks between the clubs took place last week, with Juve reportedly suggesting a swap deal that would see them sign Thomas Partey.

But the Ghanaian is a key player for Arsenal and letting him leave midway through the season was never likely to happen.

Now, Gazzetta say Arthur will remain with the Italian giants, who had previously been willing to let him leave as long as they could find a replacement.

With Partey and Mohamed Elneny both at the African Cup of Nations and Granit Xhaka suspended, Albert Sambi Lokonga is currently the only available senior central midfielder at the club.

The lack of depth currently available to Mikel Arteta saw Sunday’s north London derby postponed due to “a combination of COVID-19, existing and recent injuries and players on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations”.