Arsenal are continuing to work on outgoings as sporting director Andrea Berta seeks to streamline Mikel Arteta's squad. Defender Jakub Kiwior, who was left out of Sunday's 1-0 Premier League win at Manchester United, remains the subject of strong interest from Porto.
The Portuguese giants saw a package bid, an initial loan with an obligation to buy worth up to £23.3million, rejected by Arsenal earlier this month but club-to-club discussions are continuing.
Arteta is not itching to sell the Pole but respects the player's openness towards a transfer given the Spaniard is not able to provide him with any assurances of game time this season.
Arsenal would favour a permanent deal as they're yet to make a notable sale this summer but Porto are prioritising an initial loan that would become permanent next summer - though it's clear they need to raise their offer to get closer to the Gunners' valuation.
Porto are in a hurry to raise cash to finance another offer and remain determined to partner Kiwior with his international team-mate Jan Bednarek at the heart of their defence.
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AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus have also been credited with an interest but at this stage, the 25-year-old is closer to joining Porto than any other side as the two clubs remain in direct contact over a deal.
Another stipulation is that Kiwior would likely need to be replaced. Although Riccardo Calafiori can provide centre-back cover for Gabriel Magalhaes, he is predominately viewed as a left-back and the departure of Takehiro Tomiyasu also means Arsenal would be light in reserve at the back, should Kiwior depart.
Stade Rennes' Jeremy Jacquet remains appreciated but he is right-footed and is comfortable remaining in France where regular minutes are on offer.
Arsenal were keen on signing Marc Guehi and Dean Huijsen earlier in the window but there is recognition it will prove difficult to entice a top-bracket, ready-made centre-back to the club given William Saliba and Gabriel will undoubtedly remain first choice. Jorrel Hato would also have been reconsidered as a potential option if he was still at Ajax but he has since signed for Chelsea.
Werder Bremen have also now emerged as strong favourites for Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein. Levante have been keen on a loan swoop for the Estonian international shot-stopper but Arsenal have been pushing for a permanent sale as Hein is out of contract at the Emirates next summer.
Eintracht Frankfurt have just announced the signing of Werder Bremen No.1 Michael Zetterer and Hein is viewed as a suitable replacement as he could rival Mio Backhaus for the No.1 spot in Germany. Sevilla were also looking to sign Hein on loan before landing Newcastle's Odysseas Vlachodimos.
It's understood Arsenal academy manager Per Mertesacker has played a role in facilitating a potential transfer, utilising his contacts at Werder Bremen, who he previously represented during his playing days before joining the Gunners in 2011.
Arsenal are still trying to find a solution for Oleksandr Zinchenko. The Ukrainian was monitored by Fenerbahce but they're now prioritising a loan deal for West Ham's Edson Alvarez, instead.
Real Betis, who came close to landing Zinchenko during his time at Manchester City, are among a list of European clubs to have been offered the chance to land the 28-year-old.
He has one year remaining on his current deal in north London and Arsenal are pushing to sell to avoid losing the versatile left-back on a free transfer in 2026. Greek side PAOK have so far failed to follow up interest in Belgian midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga.
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