In the midst of the January transfer window, Arsenal’s attempt to secure Getafe striker Borja Mayoral has hit a roadblock.
Reports suggest that the London-based club had tabled a £22m bid for the 26-year-old Spanish forward, but Getafe swiftly rejected the offer.
Mayoral, who has been in excellent form in La Liga this season, scoring 12 goals and providing one assist in 19 league matches, joined Getafe last summer after a series of loan moves following his graduation from Real Madrid’s academy in 2014.
Arsenal have been keeping a close eye on Mayoral since November, and their interest in acquiring his services has been well-documented.
However, it seems that Getafe is determined to hold out for a significantly higher fee, with reports suggesting they are demanding at least £39m for the striker.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, has now turned his attention to alternative forward options as he looks to strengthen his squad.
A potential move for Brentford’s Ivan Toney appears unlikely, with the premier league club slapping a £100m price-tag on the player.
Brentford, who were previously interested in signing Mayoral as a replacement for Toney, seem reluctant to part ways with their star striker until the summer at least.
Crystal Palace, who were also linked with a move for Mayoral last year when he was on loan at Roma, have shifted their focus to other attacking targets, including Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah.
Arsenal is reportedly demanding £30m for the sale of Nketiah, who has played second fiddle to Gabriel Jesus at the Emirates Stadium for the past 18 months. It remains to be seen whether a deal will be struck between the two clubs.
As Arsenal prepares for their upcoming clash with Crystal Palace on January 20, the team hopes to rediscover their clinical edge and close the five-point gap to league leaders Liverpool.
The return of their players from a warm-weather camp in Dubai could provide a much-needed boost to their performance.
