Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger reportedly wanted to sign Napoli's Dries Mertens in the summer as a potential replacement for Alexis Sanchez.
According to Calciomercato, the Belgian winger was on a list of targets that also included Juventus' Juan Cuadrado and Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez.
The report added Arsenal's move was scuppered almost before it started after Mertens, 30, signed a contract extension with Napoli to 2020 back in May, but the Gunners could return for him next summer when he will be available for only €30 million (£26.