While on the continent, Gunners chiefs held talks with the representatives of Joan Garcia, the Espanyol goalkeeper who the club attempted to recruit back in the summer. During those conversations, according to The Athletic, Arsenal also raised the prospect of signing Morata who shares and agent with Garcia.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted he is "disappointed" by the club's failure to sign a new striker before the transfer window closed on Monday.Edu was a close ally of Arteta but the Spaniard insisted he had no complaints about Arsenal's recruitment process despite their unsuccessful striker hunt.

Arsenal were desperate for an attacking signing in the January transfer window but the Gunners failed to sign their targets. Mikel Arteta’s side are challenging Liverpool for the Premier League title this season and fans believed that signing an attacker could give them an edge against the Reds in the title race this season.